The Influence of Media on Perception of Beauty
The influence of the media on our perception of female beauty
Defining beauty is not without its challenges: look up the definition of beauty in any english dictionary and one will be met with an ambiguous description similar to this:
''A combination of qualities that pleases the intellect or moral sense''
(Newman 2010) acknowledges the dilemma in asking what beauty is. She maintains ''we grope around the edges of the question as if trying to get a toe-hold on a cloud''. We know it when we see it, or so we think. Philosophers construct beauty as a moral equation (Newman 2010). Plato once said that what is beautiful is good. Poets reach for the lofty, according to (Newman 2010). Jean Pullman wrote ''true beauty is how she acts, true beauty is inside.'' Others are more definite in their definition. When people approach plastic surgeons and announce ''make me beautiful'' what they are asking for are high cheekbones and a stronger jawline (Davis 2011). Scientifically beauty is seen as health. According to (Newman 2010):
''It's a billboard saying 'I am healthy and fertile, and I can pass on your genes.''
Our personal perceptual process plays a large part in what we deem to be beautiful. Perception refers to the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses (Merriam-Webster 2010). The sensory receptors that are involved are skin, mouth, ears, nose and eyes and they inform our sense of touch, taste, hearing, smell and sight. The media has brought with it wonderful advantages in certain aspects of people's lives but it has also brought with it a very alarming detriment, and this is a change and influence in society's perception of beauty.
Through the media unrealistic images of western ideals of beauty are transmitted out all over the world. Advertisements, magazine articles and modern hollywood are the driving force behind the influence of the public's perception of ideal beauty (Hoffman 2004). From magazines
Defining beauty is not without its challenges: look up the definition of beauty in any english dictionary and one will be met with an ambiguous description similar to this:
''A combination of qualities that pleases the intellect or moral sense''
(Newman 2010) acknowledges the dilemma in asking what beauty is. She maintains ''we grope around the edges of the question as if trying to get a toe-hold on a cloud''. We know it when we see it, or so we think. Philosophers construct beauty as a moral equation (Newman 2010). Plato once said that what is beautiful is good. Poets reach for the lofty, according to (Newman 2010). Jean Pullman wrote ''true beauty is how she acts, true beauty is inside.'' Others are more definite in their definition. When people approach plastic surgeons and announce ''make me beautiful'' what they are asking for are high cheekbones and a stronger jawline (Davis 2011). Scientifically beauty is seen as health. According to (Newman 2010):
''It's a billboard saying 'I am healthy and fertile, and I can pass on your genes.''
Our personal perceptual process plays a large part in what we deem to be beautiful. Perception refers to the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses (Merriam-Webster 2010). The sensory receptors that are involved are skin, mouth, ears, nose and eyes and they inform our sense of touch, taste, hearing, smell and sight. The media has brought with it wonderful advantages in certain aspects of people's lives but it has also brought with it a very alarming detriment, and this is a change and influence in society's perception of beauty.
Through the media unrealistic images of western ideals of beauty are transmitted out all over the world. Advertisements, magazine articles and modern hollywood are the driving force behind the influence of the public's perception of ideal beauty (Hoffman 2004). From magazines