Abstract This paper examines the issue of bodyimage 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 bodyimage 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."
Abstract This paper focuses on the representations of women's bodyimage in the media and asks how these representations affect women's self-image and behavior.
From the Paper "The images of the media surround us constantly. According to Peach (1998): "We are exposed to over 2,000 ads a day, constituting perhaps the most powerful educational force in society. The average adult will spend one and a half years of his/her life watching television commercials". (p. 128). Leafing through the morning paper we unconsciously take in adverts and photographs. Going to work we pass billboards, signs on bus stations and busses, company logo's on clothing and merchandise. At home relaxing in front of the television we are bombarded by images. What are the main messages that are conveyed by this unstoppable deluge of the media?"
Abstract The writer of this paper details the symptoms as well as the media's contribution to body dysmorphic disorder, also known as distorted bodyimage. Body dysmorphic disorder has become a tremendous problem in today's society due to the barrage of negative messages sent to women by the media. This paper discusses the effect of the media, in all its forms - television, radio, print advertising, internet, etc., which has an enormous influence on what people deem as attractive in today's society. The unnecessary emphasis the media places on appearance tends to adversely affect the mental and physical health of those it comes in contact with. Body dysmorphic disorder can lead to damaged self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. This paper details the manner in which advertisers place heavy emphasis on physical appearance as a means of selling products. Too often in doing so, unnecessary pressure is placed on women to conform to unrealistic and oftentimes, unhealthy standards of beauty.
From the Paper "Women want someone they can relate to. The Body Shop, a supplier of natural beauty products, offered a much-needed change from the typical message provided by advertisers; "There are three billion women who don't look like supermodels, and only eight who do. The Australian magazine New Woman included a picture of a heavy-set model on its cover recently. This action produced a lot of positive comments from the magazine's female readers. Despite this fact, advertisers threatened to pull their sponsorship. This shows that advertisers know what they are doing when they include a woman whose body is unattainable to society at large."
Abstract This paper discusses eating disorders, explaining that the concept of bodyimage is an integral part of such disorders. There cannot be an eating disorder without bodyimage disturbance. This paper begins by defining and making distinctions between anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating. Even though these three eating disorders are different they are all based in anorexia. In other words they are all centered on the pursuit of thinness.
This paper is a complete research project including an extensive bibliography, studying the relationship of bodyimage and self-esteem of girls and boys, ages 9 and 10, from Glasgow, England.
Abstract This paper explains that the intention of this study was to determine how early in their lives children, especially girls, are influenced by the media concerning their bodyimage;and if that influence has any profound or pronounced effect, if the exposure begins during the pre-pubescent period. The author used (1) a self-assessment questionnaire of girls and boys, ages 9 and 10, from two different schools administered by the classroom teacher during regular class sections coupled with (2) the teacher's assessment of the child's self-esteem. This paper concludes that, more significantly with girls than with boys, weight and bodyimage are inextricably linked as early as age nine with children already incorporated concerns of attractiveness as powerful indicators of how these children evaluate their own self-esteem. Tables.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Media influence
Other Influences on BodyImage and Self-Esteem in Girls
Taking Objectification a Step Further
The Effect of BodyImage in Adolescence
Factors Suggesting the Need for Child-Centred Body-Image/Self-Esteem Studies
Rationale
Hypotheses
Methods
Social Comparisons to Models and Peers
BodyImage Satisfaction
Body Mass Index
Results
Relationships between Body Dissatisfaction and Reported Social Comparison
Correlations Between Body Dissatisfaction and Social Comparisons to Models and Peers by Gender
Multiple Regressions of Body Dissatisfaction on BMI, Grade, and
Attractiveness Attributes by Gender
Means and Standard Deviations for Social Comparison to Models and Same-Sex Peers by Gender
Teacher Assessments of Self-Esteem
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "Because of the ages of the children in the study, it was decided that the best way to assess self-esteem would be to interview the teachers of the children concerning which children suffered from low self-esteem, and then correlate their answers with those of the children. An almost 100 percent correlation was found among girls between higher weights and low self-esteem. For boys, the correlation between body shape was stronger than the correlation with weight per se. It is easy to conclude, therefore, that "Whether or not they are too heavy, females who see themselves as overweight show decreased satisfaction with their bodies, reduced levels of self-esteem, and lowered psychosocial well-being, as compared with males, in general, and with females who do not consider themselves overweight.""
Argues that the images of perfection that are disseminated by society are generally stereotypical images that reinforce gender roles of dominance and submission.
Abstract The way in which society defines the structures and strictures of gender has developed in the last century into a field in which there is an abundance of textual dissertation concerning gender, identity, bodyimage, and other issuances of definitional standards that often defy the status quo and change the way in which we think about what it is to be a man or woman. The paper shows that these essential qualities that define gender are harder to determine the more we explore the boundaries that have been set up, in many cases, as no more than cultural myths that represent the continuance of a socio-economic class system. One of these myths is the idea of the mythical bodyimage, or the ideal physiological representation of a society in which gender lines are clearly defined in terms of male and female. This paper explores the idea of this image in terms of its contrivance, ramifications, social constructionism, and its support of gender stereotypes to provide an understanding of how our culture defines male and female images of perfection.
From the Paper "Myths traditionally focus on the superhuman or divine while providing a model of behavior for their consumer, who is more often than not encouraged by them to accept a sort of socio-economic status quo, along with a sense of diversion and the illusion that in escaping reality, the person buying into the myth is escaping the status-quo of an
economically oriented social class system. This particular diversion is carried on through time and changed, if slightly, by successive generations as the gradations of society change with time (although the continuance of myth is often retrogressive concerning the continuance of the society). Although the theme may only change slightly, the
presentation of a new myth within this traditional trope suggests other changes that are more important."
Abstract This paper discusses self-image and body-image dissatisfaction, and how they correlate with sex, nationality, age and other contributing factors. The author examines such diseases as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and how psychological and physiological issues also coincide with bodyimage and self-perceptions. The paper also looks at how society and the media contribute to body perceptions.
From the Paper "The effects of body image and dissatisfaction can be harmful and even deadly. Certain diseases such an anorexia and bulimia can be almost directly related with self body image. Researchers, Lautenbacher, Kraehe & Krieg did a study on recovering anorexic women. They say that the perception of body size is a contributing factor to anorexia. As evident, ?"perception of body size is involved in these processes that determine the cause of anorexia nervosa" , Lautenbacher, Kraehe & Krieg. Body size ties directly to body satisfaction. Even after many anorexic or bulimic people have recovered, researchers suggest they still are unsatisfied with their bodies and how they look. They may gain weight back but still are dissatisfied with their bodies."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that magazine advertisements employ a wide array of methods to catch the easily distracted eye and send, within the brief period in which the reader actually looks at the ad, sophisticated messages about bodyimages. The writer analyzes the implicit bodyimage messages present in two very different magazines--one for a male audience, the other for female readers. The writer points out that the central argument is that male ads usually focus on the man's functional worth, as a worker, driver, or the like, while ads for women normally emphasize the woman's beauty and aesthetic value. The writer concludes that the message portrayed in the ads is that the worth of a man's body is relative to its utility and functioning power while a woman's body is measured by the tyrannical criteria of beauty.
Outline:
Introduction
GQ Ads
Versace suit ad
The designer shirt ads
Women's ads in Vogue Paris
A. Dining woman ad
B. The "Mountain Woman"
Conclusion
From the Paper "The top half of this specific ad (GQ 219) advertises an expensive designer shirt and, at first glance, the dinner table scenario seems fairly ordinary. However, this seemingly inoffensive ad reveals the same characteristics as the ad mentioned above. In it, a chiseled-faced male is dexterously carving and arranging the meal's meat course. His skilful performance with the instruments sparks the admiration of his attractive companion, who sits close to him and stares at his working hands with unqualified admiration. In the bottom half of the ad, this same couple is seated in a car (this ad, too, advertises the same garment) and it is not surprising to see that the man is operating the steering wheel while his companion looks on. These are not, obviously, incidental poses, and the proclivity to focus on the body's functioning abilities: driving, working, cutting, rather than on its aesthetic characteristics is clearly discernable in a large number of GQ's advertisements."
Abstract This paper examines how women experience the world in ways that are inextricably connected with the perceptions of bodyimage. Not only do American women experience a number of physiological phenomenon that are uniquely female, they are also subjected to a wide range of powerful cultural forces that affect their perceptions of their body and how they relate to their own sense of self-worth. It provides an overview of the social issue of bodyimage from a feminist perspective to determine how meaning and identity are constructed in this social issue. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.
From the Paper "Pregnancy in particular is a potentially life-threatening and world-shifting condition that women uniquely experience, and it is little wonder that so much focus has been devoted to it in the feminist literature. Merleau-Ponty points out that the integrity of female body is diminished during pregnancy by the fact that the boundaries of the female body are themselves in a state of flux. ?In pregnancy,? she says, "I literally do not have a firm sense of where my body ends and the world beings. My automatic body habits become dislodged; the continuity between my customary body and my body at this moment is broken" (p. 410)."
Abstract The paper argues that the media does not present a too thin bodyimage, rather it is the white culture that dictates the ideal, thin bodyimages. The paper highlights how white culture stresses beauty is thinness while black culture emphasizes self-respect, being happy with oneself and accepting a larger body size. The paper asserts that the media's norms are changing with the introduction and focus on black culture.
From the Paper "Body image in the media is intended to represent a product and to sell that product. The media gurus choose thin models not as attesting to how women should look but rather as a tribute to how they want their product to appear to the audience. The idea of thinness is misconstrued on the idea that women's bodies are too thin and thus those too thin bodies present to the advertising world what their body should look like, but this is not true. Thinness is in the eye of the beholder, "When individuals evaluate their appearance, they can either concur or disagree with other evaluators. If dissensus occurs its direction can be either self enhancing or self-denigrating" (Levinson 1986; 330)."
Abstract This paper discusses what bodyimage is, what exactly is being viewed by women in women's magazines and then why these images have the effect that they do. It then discusses women's reactions, how they make them feel and how viewing women's magazines can affect their self-image. It then goes into detail of what could be done to fix this.
From the Paper "Flip absent-mindedly through any young women's magazine and in between the titles and pages of ?4 Hot New Makeup Looks? and "Little Signs He's The One", you"ll see dozens and dozens of women who all look the same. Women advertising one thing or another, all with the exact same incredible makeup, all with skin highlighted with professional lighting and computer touch-ups, all pouting in that sexy manner and leaning in the same seductive poses" all perfectly sweet, sexy, and skinny. All with perfect bodies."
Abstract The paper reveals that African-American adolescent girls have a more positive bodyimage than white adolescent girls. The paper attributes this to the media, including film and advertising, that portrays African-American women differently than white women. The paper also notes that African-American girls may have closer family structures and better relationships with their mothers that may positively affect a girl's view of her own body.
From the Paper "Previous studies examining the body image of adolescent girls have established a number of ideas about how perceived body image effects the actions and life choices of those girls. Some report body image as a factor in sexual activity (Rosenthal, Smith, & de Visser 319). Others see the media and advertising as playing a large role in the shaping how girls feel about their bodies (Hylmo; Baker). Finally, healthy attitudes from parents and other factors related to early home life also seem to play a part ("Girls' Body" 51)."
Abstract This study uses a social comparison theory as the primary basis for its exploration of body perception in advertising, affects of advertising on self-esteem, and purchase decisions. It explores the theoretical basis of the negative effect and how exposure to highly attractive models (HAMs) affects the intention to buy a beauty product in women with a low opinion of their own bodyimage.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Background of Study
Research Problem
Objectives Of The Study
Research Questions
Significance Of The Study
Theoretical Background
Hypotheses
Conceptual Framework for Methodology
Conclusion
From the Paper "It is important to note that social and clinical research studies over the years have given definite conclusions that show the relation to and affect of media exposure and its representation of the thin body-image as ideal in relation to a negative affect on the women's self-image and lead to body dissatisfaction (Groesz, Levine, & Murnen, 2002). The conclusions and results show that the most common effects of this "thin" ideal body-image is to do with self-image and body unhappiness (e.g., Harrison & Cantor, 1997; Heinberg, Thompson, & Stormer, 1995). Other research into the concept of thin as ideal has demonstrated inconsistent, minimal or no association whatsoever between the two phenomenon (e.g., Champion & Furnham, 1999; e.g., Cash, Cash, & Butters, 1983; Irving, 1990)!"
Abstract This paper discusses how the media can have negative effects on the bodyimage of almost any individual, male or female. It further discusses how women are more prone to the effects of this kind of media image and reviews research that indicates, in its early stages, that these effects can be countered by intervention.
From the Paper "Every day the general public is subject to unrealistic body images portrayed by the media. On television, hypersexual teens worry more about losing their virginity than about a humongous pimple shining like a blinking beacon. In both print and electronic media, women with prominent collarbones and 15-inch waists advertise everything from fast food to pain- and weight loss medication, while men with "ripped" abs drink beer with their buddies in front of the television. In the movies, even the pets are beautiful and gaze at their perfect owners with love from the elegant couch in their perfectly maintained homes. How is the average individual supposed to compete with this flawless worldview? Does the average viewer compete with it at all or is it accepted as the depiction of the American dream?"
Abstract This paper focuses on the bodyimage of women in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States. It states what is expected of the women by their culture in the physical "ideal" for a woman and contrasts the expectation with the reality.
From the Paper "Before we begin to examine cultural variations on aesthetic ideals, we must first understand exactly what is meant by body image. Psychologists typically define body image as being how we feel about how we look (Henson 1). Personal ideas about body image transcend fact and physiology; our body image is purely psychological. How do we see ourselves? How do we think we are seen by others? How do answers to those questions compare to our own physical reality? Our body image is essentially based "on our perceptions of our bodies and the emotions resulting from those perceptions" (Henson 1)."
