Introduction
An individual’s image can be viewed as a pivotal form of communication. This is particularly more apparent among teenagers in society and in certain workforces. This essay will explore the basis of the above claims. In the process this essay will provide examples of evidence to support these claims.
Western society does not condone nakedness in public places. Governments impose indecent exposure laws to prevent people choosing to be naked in a public place. Therefore, clothes are a necessity. Weather conditions create a need for certain clothes and these clothes, for example a coat, serve a functional purpose. Apart from this, there are many other reasons people wear clothes and chose the clothes they do.
Appearance is one of the first factors the average person will take into consideration when judging an individual on their first encounter with them. This is often a human defence mechanism; the person will decide whether the particular individual they are looking at is possibly a danger to them. They often base this assumption on their memory’s history of previous individuals they have encountered and what type of person they were.
Appearance, especially dress is a form of nonverbal communication. Dress can express a certain image and personality that the wearer wants to communicate to people. First impressions are often important in certain situations for example a job interview. Most people will initially judge the candidate on their appearance, before the candidate even gets to verbalise their personality. (Dimbleby, 1998)
Upon initial contact with a person, their appearance conveys a number of instant statements. Their appearance can communicate their age, gender, personality, social group, occupation or the type of music they listen to. The individual can alter many of these factors of their appearance, and chose which variation they want the viewer to judge them by.
Bibliography: Caner, E.M. & Caner E.F. (2002) Unveiling Islam, Kregal Publications: Chicago DeMello, M. (2000) Bodies of Inscription: A Cultural History of the Modern Tattoo Community, Duke University Press: UK Dimbleby, R. & Burton, G. (1998) More than Words: Introduction to Communication, Routledge: UK Giddens, P. (2006) Sociology, Polity Press: Cambridge. Goodrun, A. (2005) The National Fabric: Fashion, Britishness, Globalisation, Berg Publishers: Oxford Hazelhurst, K. & Hazelhurst, C. (1998) Gangs and Youth Subcultures: International Explorations, Transaction Publishers: U.S. Share, P. Tovey, H. & Corcoran, M. (2007) A Sociology of Ireland, Gill & Macmillan Ltd: Dublin.