Media and Body Image: Exploring the Discrepancy between Body Perception and Satisfaction - Softcover

Miller, Evonne

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3639171837 ISBN 13: 9783639171839

Publisher: VDM Verlag, 2009

Synopsis

This research explores the relationships among media consumption, body satisfaction and perception. Correlational and experimental studies typically link exposure to the thin female body shape currently over-represented in the media with increased body dissatisfaction - contrary to this, however, my research demonstrates that women who view thin models perceive their bodies to be thinner (and closer to their ideal figure) than those who viewed control images. Yet, cognitive body dissatisfaction either did not change or increased. To explain this discrepancy, an anchoring explanation was postulated whereby exposure to thin women alters perceptions of their own weight, as well as what weight is ¿normal¿. My research suggests that women¿s perception of, and satisfaction with, their body vary depending on the anchor provided by media images, their perceived similarity to the image and their perception of their relative body size.

About this title

About the Author

Dr Evonne Miller is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Design at Queensland University of Technology in Australia. She has a BCom (Marketing Management) and BA(Hons) and PhD in Psychology from the University of Otago. Evonne¿s research interests include body image, social sustainability, social gerontology and behaviour change.

Edition details

• Publisher: VDM Verlag
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3639171837
• ISBN 13: 9783639171839
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 140