The new Mini-AIR brought this wonderful article to my attention: James K. Beggan, Scott T. Allison (2005) Tough Women in the Unlikeliest of Places: The Unexpected Toughness of the Playboy Playmate
The Journal of Popular Culture 38 (5), 796-818. Here's an excerpt:
The contradiction created by the juxtaposition of the nude imagery and "tough" background is the basis for the present article. Our analysis of centerfold pictorials for the past two decades suggests that it is a mistake to view Playboy Playmates exclusively through a lens of sexuality. Although our culture most often conceptualizes Playmates as highly sexualized, commercialized objects, they are not just busty pinup girlie-girls. Playmates have unexpected elements of toughness in their collective nature, and in reality, Playboy presents them as possessing much more complex characters than popular wisdom would allow. This richer characterization comes through the centerfold text and other pictures that comprise the Playmate's pictorial. The centerfold text, virtually ignored by social commentators, modifies the possible meanings construed from the nude pictorials and makes it difficult for the reader not to be struck by the personalities of Playmates.
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There's text somewhere?
I thought I've heard of a longitudinal study of this a couple of years back, i.e., how it changed over time, from being more feminine ("Damsel in Distress") early on, but getting more active, athletic and "overcomeing early handicaps" more recently.
At first blush, this seems like a worthwhile pursuit. Where do I apply for a grant to do a follow-up?
Well, a lot of guys do find fit women more attractive, and brains are appreciated on a personal level at least. Although in Playboy, I suspect the latter doesn't matter much; still, I think most guys are used to liberated women these days and really don't deserve to get laid at all if they can't deal with a self-assured woman who can hold up her end of the conversation.