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 body image.

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)!"

Tags:image, weight, model

Abstract
The writer of this paper details the symptoms as well as the media's contribution to body dysmorphic disorder, also known as distorted body image. 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."

Tags:body, disorder, dysmorphic, image, media, women, anorexia, marketing, advertising, media, bulimia

Abstract
This paper examines how the media's influence in Western culture is pervasive and how, through magazines, television, and print ads such as billboards, advertisers have consistently adopted gender stereotypes in terms of body image and use these stereotypes to sell their products. It looks at how the stereotypical womanly ideal is slender to the point of looking unhealthy and how men are consistently presented with an overly muscular, perfectly lean physique. It considers the effects of such unrealistic stereotypical ideals and looks at the effects of the female stereotype on men and of the male stereotype on women.

From the Paper
"The presentation of the ideal female stereotype also has effects in terms of eating disorders that are seen in parts of the world where this ideal predominates. Since the ideal presented is so far from normal, and can rarely be attained by healthy means, anorexia nervosa and bulimia rates have risen. The only way most women can approach this stereotype of is through starvation or disordered eating. Research (Botta et al., 2003) has shown that rates of eating disorders may be predicted based upon the magazine reading habits of the women studied. If subjects were repeatedly exposed to images of unrealistically thin models, prevalence of anorexia and bulimia was greater. "Overall, magazine reading and processing accounted for 28.0% of variance for girls' anorexic behaviors 27.5% for girls' bulimic behaviors 23.4% for girls' body satisfaction [and] 41.6% for girls' drive to be thin." (Botta, 2003). Ironically, men do not see thinness as the same prerequisite for attractiveness in women that women themselves do."

Tags:anorexia, nervosa, beauty, muscular

Abstract
This paper analyzes the media's impact in pressuring teenage girls to possess the ideal, unrealistic, physical appearance. The paper discusses the physical, emotional and social effects these media images have upon girls and their feelings of self-worth. According to the writer, through an understanding of the true function of the media, teenage girls may better be able to both understand and translate the messages the media is sending.

Outline:
Introduction
Physically
Emotionally
Socially
Helping Teenage Girls to Understand the Messages
Conclusion

From the Paper
"During the teenage years of girls both self-focus and awareness of others' evaluations of self are heightened. This concern with not only the internal perception, but also the external, creates additional pressure for the adolescent, further compounding the problem of self image. Body image has a major influence on adolescents' self-esteem, and both female and male adolescents place more importance on their appearance than adults, and adolescents also report higher levels of body dissatisfaction. (Dittmar et. al.) Image is a very important aspect of life, particularly to teenagers, and the media in no way helps to reinforce a positive body image or identity due to the unrealistic images put forth."

Tags:appearance, thinness, weight, self-esteem

Abstract
The paper discusses the purpose and effects of advertisements and commercials on children, teenagers and women. The paper explains how the media causes women and teenagers to be dissatisfied with their bodies which leads to serious problems, such as eating disorders. The paper suggests that education is the key to being aware of the danger of advertisements.

Outline:
The Purpose of Advertisements
The Media's Effect on Women
Solutions to the Thinness Model

From the Paper
"The advertisement business makes approximately a billion dollars each year. Children, teenagers, and adults are affected by different types of media including television, magazines, videos, and musicians. Many ads are designed to catch the attention of children, teenagers, and women. Often women are willing to do whatever is necessary to gain the look of these models. The media models of thinness causes people to view women's bodies as sexual objects and this model of thinness often lead children, teenagers, and women to be dissatisfied with their bodies or develop eating disorders."

Tags:eating, disorders, thinness, sexual, models, body, image

Abstract
This paper examines how the use of female images in the media and particularly in advertising has become a contentious issue in recent years and how numerous studies and articles have been written on the subject. There is a general consensus among academics and researchers that the manner in which advertising uses female images has a profound affect on society in general and the individual consumer. However, whether this effect is entirely negative or positive is a question that is at issue. One of the intentions of the present study is to present these views against the background of the history and function of advertising. A central purpose of this dissertation is to examine the implications surrounding the usage of female imagery in advertising. The implications in both a social and psychological sense are examined in-depth. The study also takes cognizance of the various views and opinions of various aspects of this subject. The overall intention of the study is to present a clear overview and analysis of the historical and contemporary reality of the use of female images in the advertising industry.

Outline
Introduction and History of Advertising
The Function and Functioning of Advertising
Implications: Society and Advertising
Implications: Psychology and Advertising
Conclusion and Summation

From the Paper
"Advertising is an integral part of our social and economic systems. In our complex society, advertising has evolved into a vital communications system for both consumers and businesses. The concepts of buying and consuming have been around since time immemorial and the fact that much of life focuses in this commonplace arena, makes advertising a fascinating subject for anyone who is interested in how people cope with everyday existence. In ancient times 'persuasion through communication' was mainly by word of mouth, yet commercial messages were found in the ruins of Pompeii, a town that was founded in the 7th century BC by the Osci, a people of central Italy."

Tags:consumer, buying, sex, body, image

Abstract
This paper explains that the sexual connection is much easier to set up for men than for women because men have minimal criteria for sexual desire, basically a woman's anatomy; thus, young healthy women's bodies easily attract the male view to the advertiser's product. The author points out that the use of sex in advertising to women is much more difficult because women's instinctive sexual reaction is more strongly affected by their intelligence; thus, advertising to women rarely uses sex, but rather the romance approach is applied using stereotypical images such as roses and a doting man. The paper relates that sexuality in advertising is a major area of ethical concern; however, surprisingly little is known about its effects on women and men.

From the Paper
"Sex is the second strongest of the psychological appeals, right behind self-preservation, and its strength is biological and instinctive, the genetic imperative of reproduction.Sexual desire is an instinctive reaction in animals, and a person's perception of a suitable mate is the basis.That perception is usually a set of criteria that the opposite sex must meet, and those that meet and exceed those criteria will provide the chance for the highest quality offspring with the best chance of survival."

Tags:body, romance, ethical, research, perception

Abstract
The paper explores the image society has of women through an examination of a child's toy (the Kim Possible Doll), advertising images for Skechers and the television show "The Closer." The paper discusses how the external image of youth, beauty and especially being thin is projected as a virtual necessity. The paper looks at the harmful effects this has on the self-image of girls and young women trying to emulate what they believe is the ideal.

Outline:
Introduction
Kim Possible Doll
Skechers Models
The Closer
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The prevailing doll image offered to young girls for many years has been the Barbie Doll, the image of an extremely thin young woman, with an emphasis on thin-ness, beauty, perfect hair, and perfect makeup. This is only one source of this sort of image, and many of the images from popular culture reinforce this idea.
"Meta G. Carstarphen and Susan C. Zavoina write specifically about the experience of adolescent girls and note how these girls are influenced by images of girls their age in magazines like Seventeen and Teen, among other sources, and the authors note first that advertising is directed at young people because they represent an important target market, if one that is particularly vulnerable: "A time of awkwardness and opportunity, adolescence represents a critical time of identity formation for both boys and girls" (Carstarphen and Zavoina 94)."

Tags:beauty, body, popular, culture, stereotypes, male, female, expectations

Abstract
In this article, the writer maintains that there is no doubt that the media has become a major influence in contemporary society, with advertisements being used within all its forms to encourage individuals to buy particular products or services. The writer notes that gender stereotypes and biases, however, are frequently reinforced through mass media images. The writer discusses whether exposure to sexually attractive women in magazine advertisements influences viewers' perceptions of gender roles. This proposal investigates the influence that magazine advertisements have on males and females in relation to status, self-image, body image and sexuality. The paper also addresses possible solutions to a number of problems raised within the proposal, as well as considers areas for future research.

Outline:
Introduction
Gender Roles within Society
The Effects of Print Advertising on Society
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The construction of society throughout the ages has clearly demonstrated this reality through the social and cultural frameworks that were, and still are, founded upon male worldviews and ideologies. Reinforced through the often extraordinary and diverse cultural conceptions and symbolizations that affect women and their social status, these masculine perceptions and theories continue to overshadow the beliefs and thoughts of women, while also often forcing them to suffer tremendous oppression and harm.
"The mass media, for example, generally tends to portray women as either being sexually attractive - the females used within advertising, film, and television productions usually represent idealistic images of feminine beauty and sex appeal - or as being involved in caring roles and domesticity."

Tags:sex, appeal, feminine, attractive, male, perspective

Abstract
This paper discusses the relationship between the media and the development of the young adult, specifically young women. The paper focuses on a series of ads for gym shoes that feature Christina Aguilera in provocative poses. The essay argues that advertisements like this one teach harmful lessons to today's youth, specifically that there is one type of beauty, and that women are primarily sexual beings. Further, the essay argues that it is ads like this that have caused negative body images among today's youth as well as caused poor spending habits as youth strive to emulate celebrity endorsers.

From the Paper
"The use of Aguilera in these images solidifies a stereotype that has long played a role in the male sexual fantasy--the tall, skinny, blond. Although advocacy groups have long attempted to debunk this particular image as the one of all men's desire and the only acceptable for women who want to believe themselves to be beautiful and sexy. The continued use of this stereotype to suggest sexiness, desirability, and beauty has many serious social and political connotations."

Tags:body image, stereotype feminism