How Social Psychology Has Helped Us to Develop a Better Understanding of the Interaction Between Women’s Body Image and Media Beauty-Ideals
How Social Psychology has helped us to develop a better understanding of the interaction between women’s Body Image and Media Beauty-Ideals
Much of the reports reviewed agree that there is a link between body image dissatisfaction and the influence of the media’s portrayal of beauty ideals (Engeln-Maddox, 2005) (Groesz, Levine & Murnen, 2002) (Tiggemann, 2003). The extent and direction of this link is unclear as much of the research provides conflicting results. Is simple exposure enough or does the consumer have to be actively engaged with the ideals? Other social influences are also identified as being influential factors such as peers, parents and social norms but the mass media is undoubtedly an important factor due to the scope of reach and prevalence of its depictions of the thin-ideal. (Engeln-Maddox, 2005) (Groesz, Levine & Murnen, 2002) (Krones, Stice, Batres & Orjada, 2005) (Tiggemann, 2004). This influence has been shown to exist across cultures influenced by westernised media. It seems that the images of the perfect female figures portrayed by the media as the ideal shape have become thinner and below healthy weight recommendations for normal women (Champion & Furnham 1999) (Engeln-Maddox, 2005) (Groesz, Levine & Murnen, 2002). Trends show that most women will engage in behaviours to control weight, body shape and appearance in order to live up to these ideals (Baker, Sivyer & Towell 98) (Champion & Furnham 99) (Watson & Vaughn 2006). There is also some uncertainty here, as to why some women are affected more than others. I will attempt to explore both of these and go on to address suggested preventative approaches. Males have also been shown to have a similar interaction but with pressures to conform to the ideal muscular-masculine body-ideal (Barlett, Vowels & Saucier 2008) (Ogden & Mundray 1998) however this area will not be discussed below due to space restrictions.
Social comparison theory has been described by many as an
Much of the reports reviewed agree that there is a link between body image dissatisfaction and the influence of the media’s portrayal of beauty ideals (Engeln-Maddox, 2005) (Groesz, Levine & Murnen, 2002) (Tiggemann, 2003). The extent and direction of this link is unclear as much of the research provides conflicting results. Is simple exposure enough or does the consumer have to be actively engaged with the ideals? Other social influences are also identified as being influential factors such as peers, parents and social norms but the mass media is undoubtedly an important factor due to the scope of reach and prevalence of its depictions of the thin-ideal. (Engeln-Maddox, 2005) (Groesz, Levine & Murnen, 2002) (Krones, Stice, Batres & Orjada, 2005) (Tiggemann, 2004). This influence has been shown to exist across cultures influenced by westernised media. It seems that the images of the perfect female figures portrayed by the media as the ideal shape have become thinner and below healthy weight recommendations for normal women (Champion & Furnham 1999) (Engeln-Maddox, 2005) (Groesz, Levine & Murnen, 2002). Trends show that most women will engage in behaviours to control weight, body shape and appearance in order to live up to these ideals (Baker, Sivyer & Towell 98) (Champion & Furnham 99) (Watson & Vaughn 2006). There is also some uncertainty here, as to why some women are affected more than others. I will attempt to explore both of these and go on to address suggested preventative approaches. Males have also been shown to have a similar interaction but with pressures to conform to the ideal muscular-masculine body-ideal (Barlett, Vowels & Saucier 2008) (Ogden & Mundray 1998) however this area will not be discussed below due to space restrictions.
Social comparison theory has been described by many as an