body image and advertising effects
Abstract
Over the centuries, beauty has been primarily defined by pictures of socially adorable figures and portrayals of idolized women — often became the epitome of what is attractive and beautiful. Nevertheless, past literatures have shown that people being barraged with numerous idealized images may lower self- esteem and cause various psychological disorders. The purpose of this report is to investigate whether an increasing amount of media exposure will lead to body image distortion. A survey consisting of 45 questions regarding their attitudes towards the idealized images, their habits and perceptions were asked, which aims to evaluate the effect of the media. There were 40 participants, with 15 males and 25 females. Results supported the hypothesis, demonstrating that exposure to both magazine and television induce body dissatisfaction based on comparison and self-evaluation. A considerable number of people have constantly tried to control their weight.
Introduction
The distortion of body image has often been brought into association with advertising and the media in the past decades (Cash & Pruzinsky 2002). More often than not, thin size models fill TV commercials and women’s magazines, portraying an alluring, slim yet unattainable body shape. This ideology subconsciously serves as a source where women might perceive what the social desirability and the epitome of beauty and success is (Lerner, Karabenick & Stuart 1973; Sondhaus, Kurtz & Strube 2001). Cash and Pruzinsky (2004) and Becker et al. (2002) have proposed the connection between the predominance of body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem with the representation of a thin ideal in the marketing industry, which sometimes leads to various kinds of psychological issues such as eating disorder, depression and anorexia. In similar research previously done by Stice and Shaw (1994), the participants expressed shame, guilt and stress upon exposure to images of thin ideals.
Past literature has
Over the centuries, beauty has been primarily defined by pictures of socially adorable figures and portrayals of idolized women — often became the epitome of what is attractive and beautiful. Nevertheless, past literatures have shown that people being barraged with numerous idealized images may lower self- esteem and cause various psychological disorders. The purpose of this report is to investigate whether an increasing amount of media exposure will lead to body image distortion. A survey consisting of 45 questions regarding their attitudes towards the idealized images, their habits and perceptions were asked, which aims to evaluate the effect of the media. There were 40 participants, with 15 males and 25 females. Results supported the hypothesis, demonstrating that exposure to both magazine and television induce body dissatisfaction based on comparison and self-evaluation. A considerable number of people have constantly tried to control their weight.
Introduction
The distortion of body image has often been brought into association with advertising and the media in the past decades (Cash & Pruzinsky 2002). More often than not, thin size models fill TV commercials and women’s magazines, portraying an alluring, slim yet unattainable body shape. This ideology subconsciously serves as a source where women might perceive what the social desirability and the epitome of beauty and success is (Lerner, Karabenick & Stuart 1973; Sondhaus, Kurtz & Strube 2001). Cash and Pruzinsky (2004) and Becker et al. (2002) have proposed the connection between the predominance of body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem with the representation of a thin ideal in the marketing industry, which sometimes leads to various kinds of psychological issues such as eating disorder, depression and anorexia. In similar research previously done by Stice and Shaw (1994), the participants expressed shame, guilt and stress upon exposure to images of thin ideals.
Past literature has
References: Cusumano, D, & Thompson, J, 1997, ‘Body image and body ideals in magazines: exposure, awareness, and internalization’, Sex Roles, pp. 701-721.