The Issue
This page offers five annotations of new scholarly sources pertaining to the issue
Bessenoff, Gayle R. "Can The Media Affect Us? Social Comparison, Self-Discrepancy, And The Thin Ideal." Psychology of Women Quarterly 30.3 (2006): 239-51. Web.
How can body image self-discrepancy and social comparison affect women’s ideals of the perfect body in media? In search of the answer Gayle Bessenoff took over one hundred female undergraduates to find out (241). Exposing the participants to advertisements with considerably slim women allowed the professor at the University of Connecticut to conclude that women with higher levels of body image self-discrepancy experienced higher levels of dejection and increased levels of depressive thoughts (242). These women were also found to be almost twice as likely to engage in social comparison (247).
How can body image self-discrepancy and social comparison affect women’s ideals of the perfect body in media? In search of the answer Gayle Bessenoff took over one hundred female undergraduates to find out (241). Exposing the participants to advertisements with considerably slim women allowed the professor at the University of Connecticut to conclude that women with higher levels of body image self-discrepancy experienced higher levels of dejection and increased levels of depressive thoughts (242). These women were also found to be almost twice as likely to engage in social comparison (247).
Fernandez, Sofia, and Mary Pritchard. "Relationships between Self-esteem, Media Influence and Drive for Thinness." Eating Behaviors 13.4 (2012): 321-25. Web.
The digital manipulation of women in media has led female audiences to question their bodies, suggesting a new idea that consequently these women’s gender counterparts may be responding to similar societal pressures the media imposes to be lean and toned. This study, produced by researchers Sofia Fernandez and Mary Pritchard at the Boise State University, examined what factors were most significant in furthering the drive for thinness in collegiate men and women. The research found that media models and societal pressures were the greatest driving force for women.
The digital manipulation of women in media has led female audiences to question their bodies, suggesting a new idea that consequently these women’s gender counterparts may be responding to similar societal pressures the media imposes to be lean and toned. This study, produced by researchers Sofia Fernandez and Mary Pritchard at the Boise State University, examined what factors were most significant in furthering the drive for thinness in collegiate men and women. The research found that media models and societal pressures were the greatest driving force for women.
Lev-Ari, Lilac, Inbar Baumgarten-Katz, and Ada H. Zohar. "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: How Women Learn Body Dissatisfaction." Eating Behaviors 15.3 (2014): 397-402. Web.
A study by Lev-Ari, Lilac, Inbar Baumgarten-Katz, and Ada H. Zohar of 283 women between the ages of 18-42 found through assessed comparisons that the best-friend comparison was the most influential on body ideal (397). Participants were asked to directly and indirectly make comparisons to the women they were in close relationships with, such as a friendship or a mother-or sister- relationship. While the BMI of these women only slightly mediated the effect of self-ideal disparity, Lev-Ari et al. also found that comparison to one’s mother happened to be the only relationship that did not significantly influence drive-for-thinness and body dissatisfaction, suggesting that peers may be the most influential in the how women view their bodies regardless of their body (400).
A study by Lev-Ari, Lilac, Inbar Baumgarten-Katz, and Ada H. Zohar of 283 women between the ages of 18-42 found through assessed comparisons that the best-friend comparison was the most influential on body ideal (397). Participants were asked to directly and indirectly make comparisons to the women they were in close relationships with, such as a friendship or a mother-or sister- relationship. While the BMI of these women only slightly mediated the effect of self-ideal disparity, Lev-Ari et al. also found that comparison to one’s mother happened to be the only relationship that did not significantly influence drive-for-thinness and body dissatisfaction, suggesting that peers may be the most influential in the how women view their bodies regardless of their body (400).
Mabe, Annalise G., K. Jean Forney, and Pamela K. Keel. "Do You “Like” My Photo?
Facebook Use Maintains Eating Disorder Risk." International Journal Of Eating Disorders 47.5 (2014): 516-23. Print.
Social media sites aim to connect families and friends together while encouraging its users to network; however, one study, conducted by Mabe, Annalise G., K Jean Forney, and Pamela K. Keel has evidence of a more harmful type of contribution. The psychology professors studied over eighty women who were randomly selected to either use Facebook or an alternate Internet site for 20 minutes (516). The women who were asked to spend 20 minutes on Facebook reported greater levels of anxiety and weight concerns compared to the women who were assigned an alternative Internet activity (517).
Facebook Use Maintains Eating Disorder Risk." International Journal Of Eating Disorders 47.5 (2014): 516-23. Print.
Social media sites aim to connect families and friends together while encouraging its users to network; however, one study, conducted by Mabe, Annalise G., K Jean Forney, and Pamela K. Keel has evidence of a more harmful type of contribution. The psychology professors studied over eighty women who were randomly selected to either use Facebook or an alternate Internet site for 20 minutes (516). The women who were asked to spend 20 minutes on Facebook reported greater levels of anxiety and weight concerns compared to the women who were assigned an alternative Internet activity (517).
Mehdizadeh, Soraya. "Self-Presentation 2.0: Narcissism and Self-Esteem on Facebook." Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking 13.4 (2010): 357-64. Web.
Online social networking has reshaped the way people present their lives. Regardless of physical appearance or relationships offline, Facebook users are able to enhance themselves to cover up undesirable features to their liking. A study by professor Soraya Mehdizadeh at York University suggests more about these social media users (357) than what is initially seen offline. Through a series of personality self- reports completed by a hundred Facebook users at the university the study found that higher levels of narcissism and lower levels of self-esteem coincided to greater online activity as well as self-promotional content (359).
Online social networking has reshaped the way people present their lives. Regardless of physical appearance or relationships offline, Facebook users are able to enhance themselves to cover up undesirable features to their liking. A study by professor Soraya Mehdizadeh at York University suggests more about these social media users (357) than what is initially seen offline. Through a series of personality self- reports completed by a hundred Facebook users at the university the study found that higher levels of narcissism and lower levels of self-esteem coincided to greater online activity as well as self-promotional content (359).
even More sources |
Celebrities, models, and even everyday people can digitally alter their images.
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Source: idealbite.com
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Women who find out the truth usually try to tell themselves it is impossible to compete with these fake airbrushed images. Right on, ladies. But instead of changing, the marketers are laughing all the way to the bank as these same women rush right out to the store to buy whatever they’re selling, because let’s be honest– we all still actually DO want to strive to be that beautiful." - Explains a writer from idealbite.com in an article titled "100 Percent Of What You See In Fashion Is Retouched." |
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The Advertising Standards Authority says there's nothing inherently wrong with retouching images. Only 63 of its 30,000 complaints last year related to post-production. " - Writes Tulip Mazumdar, a BBC writer, in her article, "What Does It Feel Like To Be Airbrushed? " |
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