Body Image

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the issue of body image as seen through the results of an Australian research study. The paper begins with a historical overview of standards for the ideal body. In particular, gender differences and body image are discussed. Then, methods for data collection for the Australian study are presented. The author states that gender differences were in fact a focus of the study. The results are then analyzed, with the outcome showing that women are dissatisfied with their body size. The paper includes charts and graphs to illustrate research findings.

Outline:
Introductions
Methods
Results
Discussion

From the Paper:

"Results testing the second hypothesis revealed a significant difference between gender perceptions, these differences are displayed within the below table. Data shows that both men and women over estimate the level of their desired body types compared with attractiveness. The difference between the most attractive male body types to women compared to the average desired body size of men shows an overall difference of .53. While the most attractive body size to men and the average desired female body size has a difference of .26. The data seems to suggest that men have a greater over inflation of their body size perception than women by a significant figure."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fallon, A. E., & Rozin, P. (1985). Sex differences in perceptions of desirable body shape. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 94, 102-105
• Tiggeman, M. (1992). Body-size dissatisfaction: Individual differences in age and gender and relationship with self-esteem.Personality and Individual Differences, 13, 39-43.
• Turner, S., Hamilton, H., Jacobs, M., Angood, L. M., & Dwyer, D. H. (1997). The influence of fashion magazines on the body image satisfaction of college women: An exploratory analysis. Adolescence, 32(127), 603-614.
• Abell, S.C., & Richards, M.H. (1996). The relationship between body shape satisfaction and self-esteem: An investigation of gender and class differences. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 25, 691-703.
• Crawford, D., & Worsley, A. (1987). Present and desired body weights of Australian adults: A cause for concern. Community Health Studies, 11.

More papers on Body Image:

• Argumentative Essay # 35 : "Women's Body Image in the Media"
• Term Paper # 127229 : "Body Image in American Society"
• Cause and Effect Essay # 67911 : "Body Image and the Media"

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