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The Impact of Media Exposure on Males' Body Image
Abstract
Mass media are believed to be a pervasive force in shaping physical appearance ideals and have been shown, to negatively impact females' body image. Little research has attended to the effects of media exposure on males' body image. The current experiment exposed 158 males to television advertisements containing either ideal male images or neutral images that were inserted between segments of a television program. Participants were blocked on dispositional body image and attitudes toward appearance variables to assess for moderating effects. Results indicated that participants exposed to ideal image advertisements became significantly more depressed and had higher levels of muscle dissatisfaction than those exposed to neutral ads. Inconsistent with past research, no dispositional effects were noted that would suggest the influence of schematicity on mood and body image changes.
... In addition, traditional media messages are prominent in conveying sociocultural messages about appearance and body image concerns besides interpersonal influences [15]. For instance, Television shows and magazines often portray models with slim bodies and lean muscles. ...
This paper aims to investigate whether there is a correlation between individuals socioeconomic status and the prevalence and severity of eating and sleeping disorders. The current study attempts to explain this link from an evolutionary psychology perspective. This study discusses past literature that showed the prevalence and severity of eating and sleeping disorders positively or negatively correlating with factors like mating, social impacts and working, then predicts a positive correlation between a less commonly investigated factor, socioeconomic status, and the prevalence and severity of eating and sleeping disorders. The research proposal suggests that in a correlational study, 1000 participants will complete a questionnaire as a measurement of their socioeconomic status and the prevalence and severity of eating and/or sleeping disorders. A longitudinal study will follow up the data for 12 months. A multiple regression will be conducted. If results are found significant, implications of our findings could be applied both socially and clinically. If a non-significant result is found, the direction of future studies is suggested, including using multiple research methods for further investigation and attempting to establish a causal relationship between the chosen variables.
... Social and cultural norms and peer pressure, no doubt, play significant roles in shaping body image. But the role of media, which reinforces those norms, in shaping positive or negative body image is very significant, as documented by several studies in the past (Wykes & Gunter, 2004;Schooler et al., 2004;Agliata & Tantleff-Dunn, 2004;McCabe & Ricciardelli, 2001). Increasingly, however, social media has begun to play a pervasive role in influencing adolescents' perceptions about body image and, consequently, anxieties about the same, leading to eating disorders and low self-esteem (Thompson & Harriger, 2023;Vandenbosch et al., 2022;Baminiwatta et al., 2021;Vasudeva, 2021;Saiphoo & Vahedi, 2019;Burnette et al., 2017;Fardouly & Vartanian, 2016;Fardouly et al., 2015). ...
This qualitative study explores the effects of social media, particularly Instagram, on body image and eating disorders among female adolescents. With the growing influence of social media platforms, Instagram has emerged as a significant factor in shaping body perceptions and behaviours among youth. The study aims to understand the experiences and perceptions of adolescents in West Bengal on the impact of Instagram usage on body image and eating disorders through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. The sample comprises 15 female adolescents from Kolkata, aged 15–18, who actively use Instagram. Participants were selected through snowball sampling depending on their Instagram usage, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with them. Thematic analysis of the responses reveals that Instagram plays a central role in influencing eating disorders, self-perceived ideal body image, and internalization of unrealistic beauty standards among adolescents. This chapter identifies the severe effects of social media influencers’ body image and beauty standards on the participants’ mental health and eating disorders to conform to societal expectations.
... This "reinforcing spiral" (Slater, 2015) may lead users toward content that becomes more prevalence and polarized (Huszár et al., 2022). Consequently, repeated exposure to such images has been associated with higher levels of body dissatisfaction, negative body image, lower feelings of physical attractiveness, and reduced satisfaction with muscularity in men (Agliata & Tantleff-Dunn, 2004;Barlett et al., 2008;De Jesus et al., 2015;Hargreaves & Tiggemann, 2009). At the extreme, an increased emphasis on muscularity and fitness as a measure of masculinity in popular media has contributed to a rise in a particular type of muscle dysmorphia-bigorexia (Leone et al., 2005; H. G. Pope et al., 1993Pope et al., , 2000-characterized by a belief that one's own body is too small, too skinny, or insufficiently muscular (Yang et al., 2005). ...
Images of men in the media are becoming more muscular. The influence that the overrepresentation of idealized bodies in Western media plays on women’s body dissatisfaction has been well-documented, but less is known about how similar shifts in prevalence affect men. One idealized trait of masculinity is muscularity. In this study, we propose that prevalence-induced concept change may be one of the cognitive mechanisms underlying shifts in masculine beauty standards. We conducted an online within-subjects experiment with young cisgender men (N = 164) and found that when the prevalence of muscular bodies in the environment increased, participants increasingly judged objectively average bodies as nonmuscular. This effect was not present when men made judgments about overweightness. Computational modeling (hierarchical drift–diffusion modeling) revealed that concept change was driven by less cautious responding when judging muscular stimuli. Taken together, the current results show that men’s judgments about other male bodies and their own bodies are biased by an overrepresentation of muscularity.
... Women often seek a thin body that is deemed attractive (Swami & Tovée, 2005;Tovée & Cornelissen, 2001;Tovée et al., 1998) which can be exacerbated by media depictions (Grabe et al. 2008). Conversely, many men desire a muscular body for themselves in hopes of attaining the idealized male body image propagated by the media (Agliata & Tantleff-Dunn, 2004;Barlett et al., 2008;McCreary et al., 2005), despite women preferring men with ordinary bodies (Pope et al., 2000). The existence of idealized figures for women and men thus could influence their same-gender friendships. ...
People tend to befriend others similar to themselves, generating a pattern called homophily. However, existing studies on friendship patterns often rely on surveys that assess the perspective of relatively few participants on their friendships but do not measure actualized friendship patterns. Here, we used data from a large Slovakian online social network to assess the role of gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) in same-gender online connections among more than 400,000 users. We found that age and BMI homophily occurred in both men’s and women’s same-gender connections, but somewhat more strongly among men’s. Yet, as women diverged in BMI, their connections were less likely to be reciprocated. We discuss how the evolutionary legacy of men’s coalitional competition (e.g., warfare) and women’s mating competition or recruitment of allocare providers might contribute to these patterns in modern same-gender relationships. For example, men’s engagement in physical activities may lead to similar formidability levels among their same-gender peers. Altogether, our findings highlight the importance of trait similarity to same-gender friendship patterns.
... Δεν αποτελεί έκπληξη το γεγονός ότι υπήρξε μια απότομη αύξηση στη χρήση των κοινωνικών μέσων από την έναρξη της κρίσης του κορωνοϊού (Koeze & Popper, 2020), την οποία προηγούμενες μελέτες έχουν συνδέσει με μεγαλύτερη συμπτωματολογία διαταραχών διατροφής. Πειραματικές έρευνες έδειξαν ότι η προώθηση της λεπτής και αθλητικής σιλουέτας ως το ιδανικό πρότυπο από τα κοινωνικά μέσα συνδέεται με αύξηση των διατροφικών διαταραχών και στα δύο φύλα (Agliata & Tantleff-Dunn, 2004, Hawkins et al., 2004. ...
H πανδημία Covid- 19 εισέβαλε στη ζωή εκατομμυρίων ανθρώπων σε ολόκληρο τον πλανήτη, οι οποίοι βιώνουν πρωτόγνωρες καταστάσεις με σημαντικές κοινωνικές, ψυχολογικές και οικονομικές επιπτώσεις. Τα παιδιά επηρεάστηκαν άμεσα από τα περιοριστικά μέτρα, τη διατάραξη της καθημερινότητας και την εξ’ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση.
Σκοπός της παρούσας πτυχιακής είναι η διεξαγωγή μιας έρευνας, η οποία διερευνά τις ψυχολογικές επιπτώσεις της πανδημίας και τις πιθανές αλλαγές στη ρουτίνα/καθημερινότητα, τη σχολική επίδοση και την κοινωνικότητα των παιδιών της πρωτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης. Η διερεύνηση του φάσματος των ψυχικών επιπτώσεων μπορεί να συμβάλει στην ουσιαστική κατανόηση του προβλήματος και την επιλογή στοχευμένων παρεμβάσεων πρόληψης ή αντιμετώπισης τόσο σε ατομικό και οικογενειακό επίπεδο, όσο και στο πλαίσιο της δημόσιας υγείας.
Στην παρούσα έρευνα συμμετείχαν 120 γονείς παιδιών πρωτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης που κατοικούν στην Ελλάδα. Η συλλογή του δείγματος έγινε με τη συμπλήρωση ηλεκτρονικού ερωτηματολογίου του Google Forms, το οποίο εμπεριείχε εκτενές μέρος που αφορούσε δημογραφικές και άλλες πληροφορίες.
Για τη στατιστική ανάλυση των δεδομένων, χρησιμοποιήθηκε η περιγραφική στατιστική με την αξιοποίηση του στατιστικού εργαλείου SPSS. Σύμφωνα με τα ευρήματα, το 63,3% των ερωτηθέντων απάντησε ότι η ψυχολογική κατάσταση των παιδιών τους επηρεάστηκε αρνητικά με κυριότερη αιτία την απουσία κοινωνικών επαφών (31,7%). Το 32,5% των ερωτηθέντων απάντησε ότι τα παιδιά τους ήταν μέτρια θλιμμένα τόσο κατά το πρώτο, όσο και κατά το δεύτερο κύμα της πανδημίας του κορωνοϊού. Η ρουτίνα/ καθημερινότητα των παιδιών μεταβλήθηκε σε μεγάλο βαθμό, καθώς το 87,5% των ερωτηθέντων απάντησε θετικά. Ωστόσο, δε σημειώθηκε σημαντική πτώση στις σχολικές επιδόσεις, καθώς το 35,8% των ερωτηθέντων απάντησαν πως δεν μειώθηκαν καθόλου οι σχολικές επιδόσεις των παιδιών.
This review paper explores the correlation between the depiction of physical fitness and strength in 'Survivor' television programs and the susceptibility to muscle dysmorphia, a body image problem characterized by an excessive preoccupation with inadequate muscularity. The article examines the impact of these performances, which frequently showcase participants with well-developed and physically strong bodies, on viewers' ideas of an ideal physique. This effect might possibly result in heightened dissatisfaction with one's own body and contribute to the emergence or worsening of muscle dysmorphia. This analysis explores the influence of media on individuals' impressions of their own body image. It examines various case studies, research findings, and surveys that demonstrate the connection between exposure to media and the development of body image problems. The review also examines methods for reducing the adverse influence of these shows on viewers' body image, such as advocating for media literacy, providing psychiatric assistance, and implementing public health initiatives. The results emphasize the significance of comprehending the impact of media on mental well-being, specifically in relation to muscle dysmorphia. The article seeks to examine the relationship between 'Survivor' TV shows and muscle dysmorphia, shedding light on the wider consequences of media depictions of physical fitness and body image. It emphasizes the importance of critically analyzing media content and promoting positive perceptions of body image.
Daily consumption of media has become a norm for almost all young adults in this modern era. The current study examined whether brief exposure to media-related body images would affect young adults’ body dissatisfaction, body change behaviour, and selective attention towards bodily-related words. Ninety Malaysian young adults between 19 and 25 years old participated in an experiment in which they either viewed highly- or moderately-related body images (experimental conditions) or neutral images (control condition) for a brief period. Participants’ body dissatisfaction level and intention to change body size were measured before and after the media exposure. To assess participants’ selective attention towards type of bodily-related words, their performance on a modified Stroop task was also measured. Results showed that participants who viewed the highly-related body images condition became significantly dissatisfied with their body shape and were more likely to engage in body change behaviour. Their Stroop performance was also significantly affected by highly sensitive bodily-related words compared to other less relevant or neutral words, indicating selective heightened sensitivity and attentional bias in information processing. Consistent with past studies, our empirical evidence demonstrates the effect of still media images, even with brief exposure, and how it could alter one’s perception on body shape, intention towards changing the body state, and selective attention in information processing.
advertisements have a huge impact on audiences. Children are exposed to the messages of advertisers via different media. In fact, everyone is bombarded by advertisements everywhere nowadays. This research is to investigate the impact of advertising on children’s mental health. The nature of advertising, especially in the digital era, raises concerns about its influence on the younger age group. This study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, journals, and research papers to understand the impact of advertisements on children’s mental health. Marketers advertise in such a way that children want to buy it. Children do not understand that it is a marketing strategy because advertisements are made in such a way that they attract them.
Advertisements have a huge impact on audiences. Children are exposed to the messages of advertisers via different media. In fact, everyone is bombarded by advertisements everywhere nowadays. This research is to investigate the impact of advertising on children’s mental health. The nature of advertising, especially in the digital era, raises concerns about its influence on the younger age group. This study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, journals, and research papers to understand the impact of advertisements on children’s mental health. Marketers advertise in such a way that children want to buy it. Children do not understand that it is a marketing strategy because advertisements are made in such a way that they attract them.
The development and validation of a new measure, the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) is described. The EDI is a 64 item, self-report, multiscale measure designed for the assessment of psychological and behavioral traits common in anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia. The EDI consists of eight sub-scales measuring: 1) Drive for Thinness, 2) Bulimia, 3) Body Dissatisfaction, 4) Ineffectiveness, 5) Perfectionism, 6) Interpersonal Distrust, 7) Interoceptive Awareness and 8) Maturity Fears. Reliability (internal consistency) is established for all subscales and several indices of validity are presented. First, AN patients (N = 113) are differentiated from female comparison (FC) subjects (N = 577) using a cross-validation procedure. Secondly, patient self-report subscale scores agree with clinician ratings of subscale traits. Thirdly, clinically recovered AN patients score similarly to FCs on all subscales. Finally, convergent and discriminate validity are established for subscales. The EDI was also administered to groups of normal weight bulimic women, obese, and normal weight but formerly obese women, as well as a male comparison group. Group differences are reported and the potential utility of the EDI is discussed.
The Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ) was developed to assess women's recognition and acceptance of societally sanctioned standards of appearance. In Study 1, factor analyses revealed two clearcut factors: awareness/acknowledgment of a societal emphasis on appearance and an internalization/acceptance of these standards. These findings were cross-validated in Study 2, resulting in a six-item Awareness subscale (alpha = .71) and an eight-item Internalization subscale (alpha = .88). Study 3 obtained good convergence between both scales and multiple indices of body image and eating disturbance. Regression analyses indicated that both factors accounted for unique variance associated with body image and eating dysfunction, however, internalization of standards was a stronger predictor of disturbance. The SATAQ should prove useful for researchers and clinicians interested in body image and eating disorders. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of various weight-loss practices in U.S. adolescents and adults. Design: The Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a self-administered survey of a random sample of high school students in 1990 and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a random-digit dial survey in 1989. Setting: Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia. Participants: High school students (n=11 467) and adults 18 years and older (n=60 861). Results: Among high school students, 44% of female students and 15% of male students reported that they were trying to lose weight. An additional 26% of female students and 15% of male students reported that they were trying to keep from gaining more weight
One hundred and thirty-nine women viewed television commercials that contained either Appearance-related commercials (demonstrating societally-endorsed images of thinness and attractiveness) or Non-Appearance-related advertisements. Pre-post measures of depression, anger, anxiety, and body dissatisfaction were examined. Participants were blocked by a median split on dispositional levels of body image disturbance and sociocultural attitudes regarding appearance. Individuals high on these measures became significantly more depressed following exposure to the Appearance videotape and significantly less depressed following a viewing of the Non-Appearance advertisements. In addition, individuals high on the level of sociocultural awareness/internalization became more angry and participants high on body image disturbance became more dissatisfied with their appearance following exposure to commercials illustrating thinness/attractiveness. Participants who scored below the median on dispositional levels of disturbance either improved or showed no change on dependent measures in both Appearance and Non-Appearance video conditions. The findings are discussed in light of factors that might moderate media-influenced perturbations in body image.
The current study was designed to replicate previous research documenting the links between exposure to thinness norms and eating pathology and to extend it by examining the influence of personality and environmental factors hypothesized to be protective. Questionnaire and anthropometric data were provided by 249 undergraduate women during a single session. Multiple regression analyses were then used to establish that internalization of a "thin ideal" and body dissatisfaction mediated the relation between exposure to thinness norms and eating pathology. Further, personality measures reflecting nonconformity, self-esteem, and perceived shape, as well as the social influences of family, moderated the links between exposure to thinness norms and eating pathology. Nonconformity and low family pressures to control weight moderated the relation between exposure to thinness norms and internalization of such norms; perceived shape moderated the relation between thin-ideal internalization and body dissatisfaction; self-esteem moderated the relation between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. These findings suggest that family environment and personal attributes may play key roles in the development of eating disorders, with potentially important implications for preventive interventions.
Although researchers have postulated that the thin-ideal body image portrayed in the media contributes to eating pathology among females, little research has directly examined the effects of these images on women. The central aim of the present study was to experimentally assess the effects of exposure to the thin-ideal on women's affect, body satisfaction, and endorsement of the thin-ideal stereotype. The secondary aim was to link these putative mediators to bulimic symptomatology. Female undergraduates (N = 157) were randomly exposed to pictures from magazines containing either ultra-thin models, average-sized models, or no models. Results indicated that exposure to the thin-ideal produced depression, stress, guilt, shame, insecurity, and body dissatisfaction. Further, multiple regression analyses indicated that negative affect, body dissatisfaction, and subscription to the thin-ideal predicted bulimic symptoms.