scholarly journals Changes in The Prevalence Of Thin Bodies Biases Young Womens’ Judgements about Body Size

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Devine ◽  
Nathalie Germain ◽  
Stefan Ehrlich ◽  
Ben Eppinger

Body dissatisfaction is pervasive among young women in Western countries. Among the many forces that contribute to body dissatisfaction, the overrepresentation of thin bodies in visual media has received notable attention. In this study, we propose that prevalence-induced concept change may be one of the cognitive mechanisms that explain how beauty standards shift. We conducted a pre-registered online experiment with young women (N = 419) and found that when the prevalence of thin bodies in the environment increased, the concept of overweight expanded to include bodies that would otherwise be judged as normal. Exploratory analyses revealed significant individual differences in sensitivity to this effect, both in terms of women’s judgements about other bodies and their own. These results suggest that women’s judgements about other women’s bodies are biased by an overrepresentation of thinness. Policies that aim to increase size-inclusive representation in the media may be one way to curtail this influence.

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 171387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Bould ◽  
Rebecca Carnegie ◽  
Heather Allward ◽  
Emily Bacon ◽  
Emily Lambe ◽  
...  

Body dissatisfaction is prevalent among women and associated with subsequent obesity and eating disorders. Exposure to images of bodies of different sizes has been suggested to change the perception of ‘normal’ body size in others. We tested whether exposure to different-sized (otherwise identical) bodies changes perception of own and others' body size, satisfaction with body size and amount of chocolate consumed. In Study 1, 90 18–25-year-old women with normal BMI were randomized into one of three groups to complete a 15 min two-back task using photographs of women either of ‘normal weight’ (Body Mass Index (BMI) 22–23 kg m −2 ), or altered to appear either under- or over-weight. Study 2 was identical except the 96 participants had high baseline body dissatisfaction and were followed up after 24 h. We also conducted a mega-analysis combining both studies. Participants rated size of others' bodies, own size, and satisfaction with size pre- and post-task. Post-task ratings were compared between groups, adjusting for pre-task ratings. Participants exposed to over- or normal-weight images subsequently perceived others' bodies as smaller, in comparison to those shown underweight bodies ( p  < 0.001). They also perceived their own bodies as smaller (Study 1, p  = 0.073; Study 2, p  = 0.018; mega-analysis, p  = 0.001), and felt more satisfied with their size (Study 1, p  = 0.046; Study 2, p  = 0.004; mega-analysis, p  = 0.006). There were no differences in chocolate consumption. This study suggests that a move towards using images of women with a BMI in the healthy range in the media may help to reduce body dissatisfaction, and the associated risk of eating disorders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Spring ◽  
Veronica McClain

Swimsuits are the most revealing garment that American women wear publicly. Yet wearing them affects how women feel about their bodies and attractiveness. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from convenience samples of Florida women and analyzed in terms of five strata: Competitors (competitive swimmers, beauty-pageant contestants, swimsuit models); College students (Afro-Caribbean, Asian, Black/Afro-American, Hispanic, White); and Adult women (North Florida Black and White; South-Beach Hispanic, and pregnant, as well as older women (doing water aerobics). Anthropometric data (BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratios, and bust-waist ratios) were collected and related to Figure Rating Scales and body descriptors, preferred and actual body shapes and sizes, and swimwear types and usage by situations (one-piece, two-piece, bikini, and thong worn in the presence of family and friends or on the beach and in private). Results, matching the literature show participants: (1) overestimate their body size and shape discrepancy from cultural ideals; (2) are affected by the media-depicting “thin ideal. Details of swimwear usage show that for Black and some Hispanic women, constructions of attractiveness are changed to laud larger size to mediate body dissatisfaction and enhance swimsuit use. For Asian women, conservative values rather than body size affect swimsuit usage. But even competitors who enjoy the benefits of swimsuits, as well as women of all ages (body-dissatisfaction continues throughout the lifespan) and ethnic/racial groups, still express body dissatisfaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanderson Roberto da Silva ◽  
Júlia Valério Barra ◽  
Angela Nogueira Neves ◽  
João Marôco ◽  
Juliana Alvares Duarte Bonini Campos

Abstract: The aim of the study was to verify the influence of pressure from sociocultural agents on dissatisfaction with face and body in young women mediated by the internalization of the lean and muscular body and to identify the contribution of individual characteristics to this model. A total of 612 university female students participated of study. The students completed the Portuguese versions of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 and of the Body Area Scale-Revised and a sociodemographic questionnaire. A hypothetical model was constructed using structural equation modeling to test the relationship between the variables. The model fit and the significance of the hypothetical paths were verified. The results provide evidence that the greater the pressure of sociocultural agents and the internalization of the lean body, the more women were dissatisfied with body and face appearance. The media contributed to a greater internalization of the muscular body, which reduced the body dissatisfaction. The practice of physical activity and a higher economic level contributed to a greater internalization of the muscular body, which reduced body dissatisfaction. A higher economic level also influenced the internalization of the lean body and increased the dissatisfaction with face and body. A higher body mass index contributed to a greater pressure from sociocultural agents, greater internalization of the lean body, and greater dissatisfaction with body and face. The relationships identified in the model can contribute to the development of strategies aimed at reducing body dissatisfaction and eating disorders in the population, such as body acceptance.


Author(s):  
Eric L. Sprankle ◽  
Christian M. End ◽  
Miranda N. Bretz

Utilizing a 2 (lyrics: present or absent) × 2 (images: present or absent) design, this study examined the unique effects of sexually degrading music videos and music lyrics on males’ aggressive behavior toward women, as well as males’ endorsement of rape myths and sexual stereotypes. Under the guise of a media memory study, 187 male undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. Despite the many psychological theories predicting an effect, the presentation of sexually degrading content in a visual or auditory medium (or combination thereof) did not significantly alter the participants’ aggression and self-reported endorsement of rape myths and sexual stereotypes. The null findings challenge the many corporate and governmental restrictions placed on sexual content in the media over concern for harmful effects.


CCIT Journal ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-436
Author(s):  
Dewi Immaniar ◽  
Sudaryono Sudaryono ◽  
Ayu Ningrum

Talk about retail business can not be separated from the importance of service to consumers and good quality goods . But at the present time due to intense competition in the business world , the service and quality of goods is not enough to be able to increase revenue and attract customers loyal . This makes companies think hard to survive and stable in the business . One of them is by using a media campaign in this regard more toward print or visual media is indirectly felt the value of their effectiveness in communicating product marketing programs . PT . Times Prima Indonesia is a company engaged in the retail book with the name of the Times bookstores . Based on the analysis of the company’s problems requires additional media types supporting more varied and creatif promotion of existing ones, which will be used as a complement and a media campaign as well as to enrich the data renewal campaign design to capture the interest of consumers in which one form of the media campaign is shaped merchandise . Therefore , do Enriching ( enrich ) media campaign merchandise before it is less varied and has not formed a company image . The methodology used is the analysis, observation and design . Besides the new design has been tested with the implemented test duration for 6 months, and greatly increases the perceived contribution , this is evidenced by the chart sales increasing each month.


CICES ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-47
Author(s):  
Faisal Rudiansyah Hamzah ◽  
Panji Wira Soma ◽  
Indri Rahmawati

With the development of information technology in particular in the field of multimedia in such rapid and the longer forms of media information more diverse so that more education institutions boast. Media information and promotion is currently used by SMK PGRI 11 Ciledug Tangerang. The purpose of this research audio visual media into the media information and proper promotion, by controlling hearing and vision in the form of audio visual in order to convey messages can be understood by the public at large. Existing problems, namely the medium used by the SMK PGRI 11 Ciledug Tangerang still use print media such as banners, posters and pamplet are considered less effective and efficient to use while simultaneously promoting the institutions with the best possible audio visual media so that it is selected into a medium of information and promotion of the right, by controlling hearing and vision in the form of audio visual. Because therein lies the message delivery process or how to visualize. At the same time listening and showing the contents of the message to the recipient with information through media menunjangnya, so the design of video media profile that displays the entire scope, advantages and facilities belonging to SMK PGRI 11 Ciledug Tangerang, can be a solution in solving problems in media promotion and information. With this study the author makes with the title "promotion and INFORMATION AUDIO VISUAL MEDIA SHAPED VIDEO PROFILE on SMK PGRI 11 APPLICATIONS TANGERANG CITY ".


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Talbot

Body dissatisfaction can be defined as a negative subjective evaluation of one’s body as a whole, or relating to specific aspects of one’s body such as body size, shape, muscularity/muscle tone, and weight. Prior research has found that body dissatisfaction is associated with a number of negative psychological and physiological outcomes. This commentary describes the Western ideal male body, as well as providing a summary of theories of the cause and maintenance of male body dissatisfaction.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e95756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnaud Viarouge ◽  
Edward M. Hubbard ◽  
Bruce D. McCandliss

Author(s):  
Raissa Killoran

The many usages of the term ‘secularism’ have generated an ambiguity in the word; as a political guise, it may be used to engender anti-religious fervor. Particularly in regards to veiling among female Muslim adherents, the attainment of a secular state and touting of the necessity of dismantling religious symbols have functioned as linguistic shields. By calling a “burka ban” necessary or even egalitarian secularization, legislators employ ‘secularization’ as jargon for political ends, enacting a stance of supremacy under the semblance of progress. Secularization has come to function as a political tool - in the name of it, governments may prescribe which cultural symbols are normative and which are of ‘other’ cultures or religious origins. As such, the identification of some religious symbols as foreign and others as normative is a usage of secularization for normalization of dominant religious expression. In this, there is an implicit neocolonialism; by imposing standards of cultural normalcy which are definitively nonMuslim, such policies attempt to divorce Muslims from Islam.  Further, I intend to investigate the gendered aspect of secularization politics. By critiquing clothing and body policing of women, I will demonstrate how secularization projects use the female body and dress as a site for display. By rendering the female physically emblematic of the honor and virtue of an ‘other’ culture, those enacting secularization norms target women’s bodies to act as visual exhibitions of the dominant culture’s hegemony. Here, we see gendered secularization at work - female bodies become controlled by the antireligious zeal of the state, while the state carries out this control on the predicate that it is the religious group enacting unjust control. As such, the policing of female Muslim bodies is symbolic of the policing of Islam as a whole; it acts as an illustration of an imposed, gendered secularization project.


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