Endomorphs

Endomorph is a body type classification proposed by the psychologist W.H. Sheldon (1898-1977) in the 1940s. Endomorphs are best described as having body types characterized by roundness. Endomorphs have round heads, shorter arms and legs, and greater deposits of fat over muscle. This is in contrast to the body types of ectomorphs (linear, thin face and arms, little fat or muscle) and mesomorphs (very muscular, minimal fat, ‘body builder’ type). Sheldon developed theories regarding somatotypes and the field of constitutional psychology in which relationships were suggested to exist between body types (somatotypes) and behavior, intelligence, temperament, and class. There were stereotype and eugenics based foundations for these theories. These theories are not accepted in modern psychology.


x