William Sheldon
Body type theorist
William Sheldon (1898–1977) was an American psychologist who developed the theory of somatotypes, which classified human bodies into three types—endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph—and controversially linked each to specific personality traits and temperaments.
His constitutional psychology claimed that body shape predicted behavior and character, an idea largely discredited by modern science.
Sheldon is also remembered for a scandal involving nude photographs of Ivy League students taken ostensibly for posture studies.
- somatotypeBodily build classification
- ectomorphSlight, linear body classification
- mesomorphAthletic body type
- endomorphRounded body type
- body typePhysical build category
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William SheldonB.F. Skinner
Behaviorist psychologist, conditioning researcher
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