Species

Beauty Behavioral Ecology | Dr. Marta Kowal

Oct 7, 2024
Join Dr. Marta Kowal, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Wrocław, as she unpacks the fascinating world of beauty and attraction. Discover how people invest an astonishing 231 minutes daily on beautification, influenced by culture and evolution. Marta explores gender differences in grooming habits, the impact of social media on self-esteem, and how beauty standards vary across societies. Learn about the intricate link between personal grooming, societal pressures, and the biological motives behind our perceptions of attractiveness.
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ANECDOTE

Everyday Grooming Adds Up Fast

  • Macken opens by asking listeners to tally minutes spent on grooming and lists showers, shaving, styling and diet tracking.
  • He frames beautification as pervasive in humans and visible in many traditional societies and animals.
INSIGHT

Humans Spend Hours Daily On Looks

  • A 93-country study found people spend on average 231 minutes per day on appearance.
  • That total includes many small grooming and maintenance tasks most people overlook.
ANECDOTE

Ghana Shows Multi-Hour Grooming Days

  • Marta checked the data after seeing 5–6 hour reports from Ghana and contacted collaborators there.
  • Ghanaian colleagues confirmed long grooming and hygiene practices are common, so the numbers were plausible.
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