The quote says "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" but a recent study suggests that others view, and judge, us based solely on our outer appearance.  An article in Glamour magazine suggests that the way we look outwardly leads people who may not know us to form opinions about our personalities.  For example, the article explains that overweight women are percieved as lazy, sloppy, smelly, and slow even if they are none of the above.  Likewise, thin women are more likely to be viewed as mean, snobby, controlling, and and conceited. 

Even the "good" stereotypes associated with weight aren't even positive.  Heavier women are thought to be more giving while thinner women ambitious.  The article goes on to cite Disney movies as proof this deeply rooted bias is engrained in our psyche from an early age.  Those conducting the study demonstrate the plump fairy godmother from Cinderella as one example.  The fairy godmother falls into the category as giving but Malificent, from Sleeping Beauty, is skinny and therefore cruel, heartless, and vain.

“I’ve been judged for being too thin and too fat,” says Nikki Nemeyer, a nurse in Florida, who at 5'10" has swung between 115 and 235 pounds. “You’re either a self-centered bitch who is starving herself, or a slob with no willpower who’s eating everything in sight.”

As a student of psychology school, why do you think we do this? 

With the Penn State scandal currently being covered by every news outlet possible, questions are swirling.  Besides wondering if the school handled it well, the parents of the abused children are wondering how they possibly missed the signs.  There's too much to get into with the psychological issues present in those who abuse children, but what about the lasting effects of the young kids involved in this scandal?

CNN says there are signs that someone you know, not necessarily a child, has been sexually abused.  The psychologists who participated in the study says those who are abused may change their appearance.  If the person starts dressing in raggedy or oversized clothes, they may be trying to blend in or look less attractive.  There also may be signs of depression and anxiety, poor performance in school or disinterest in activities they used to enjoy.  People who are abused in any way, not just sexually, may be reluctant to straight up say what has happened.  Instead, they may give clues or hints that they hope will prompt you to do some investigating. 

What do you think?

When students go to school, they have a chance to interract and learn from a variety of children with an array of different backgrounds.  When a child goes to a same sex school, or even when the classroom is seperated by gender, psychologists say the child is being deprived of learning experiences.  They also believe that when a child is surrounded only by girls or boys, they tend to behave more in gender stereotypes and believe stereotypes about the other sex.

The psychologists cited, "a 2010 study which compared two preschool classes. In one class, the teacher used gender-specific language to address the children. The other teacher did not. After just two weeks, the researchers reported that children who had the teacher using sex-specific language played less with children of the other sex. The kids also showed an increase in gender-specific stereotypes (i.e. boys played with trucks, girls with dolls)."

What do you think of this study?

A couple in Canada have been raising their now 7 month old child without a gender.  Physically the baby is either male or female, but only the parents, two older brothers, and the midwives, know for sure.  The parents have decided to see what the child wants to do and be when he or she grows up.  People across the world are mixed on this couple's decision.  Some parents claim these parents are experimenting with their child and being selfish and rude.  Others feel their parents are doing their best to encourage their child's individuality and growth.  The American Psychological Association's Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns Office says there is no precedent to this case so psychologists have no way of knowing whether or not this child will suffer psychological harm.  The parents have allowed their older children to freely express their gender too.  Below is baby Storm, the "genderless" child, with his/her older brother Jazz (notice his pigtails) taken in May. 

Do you think this will cause permanant psychological effects on baby Storm or do you think he or she will grow up normal?