title: What's in a Surname? Physique, Aptitude, and Sports Type Comparisons between Tailors and Smiths.
abstract: Combined heredity of surnames and physique, coupled with past marriage patterns and trade-specific physical aptitude and selection factors, may have led to differential assortment of bodily characteristics among present-day men with specific trade-reflecting surnames (Tailor vs. Smith). Two studies reported here were partially consistent with this genetic-social hypothesis, first proposed by Bäumler (1980). Study 1 (N = 224) indicated significantly higher self-rated physical aptitude for prototypically strength-related activities (professions, sports, hobbies) in a random sample of Smiths. The counterpart effect (higher aptitude for dexterity-related activities among Tailors) was directionally correct, but not significant, and Tailor-Smith differences in basic physique variables were nil. Study 2 examined two large total-population-of-interest datasets (Austria/Germany combined, and UK: N = 7001 and 20,532) of men's national high-score lists for track-and-field events requiring different physiques. In both datasets, proportions of Smiths significantly increased from light-stature over medium-stature to heavy-stature sports categories. The predicted counterpart effect (decreasing prevalences of Tailors along these categories) was not supported. Related prior findings, the viability of possible alternative interpretations of the evidence (differential positive selection for trades and occupations, differential endogamy and assortative mating patterns, implicit egotism effects), and directions for further inquiry are discussed in conclusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Voracek
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rieder
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stieger
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, London, UK; Department of Psychology, HELP University College, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Viren
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Swami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001076:Aptitude / Q000502:physiology*; D001317:Austria; D001827:Body Height / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D005858:Germany; D006686:Hobbies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009275:Names; D009790:Occupations; D012931:Social Environment; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult