Draft

Introduction 

It is shown that mass media can also be an influence in the perception of body image. By creating unrealistic beauty standards and bodily perfection, Mass media has negatively impacted people and their perception of body image. This negative impact on self-image has developed results of low self esteem, behavioral disorders, as well as drastic measures in order to achieve these unattainable ideals.

Appearance Comparison 

The act of comparing appearances has been shown to produce body image dissatisfaction , widely found in media images. According to Pratika S. Body image Dissatisfaction also known as ‘BID’  is  a negative subjective evaluation of the weight and shape of one’s own body. It is an  internal, emotional, and cognitive process that is influenced by external factors such as pressures to meet a certain appearance ideal.”  

Youth Risk

As youth are especially susceptible to body image issues, special care should be taken with media content and other institutional messaging. Best stated by  Bryant &Oliver “Mass media transmit the ideas, causes, norms, attitudes, and behaviors that socialize and construct the social reality of those who use them for a wide variety of reasons.” 

Mental Health

Media has a responsibility for its content, because it has such a profound effect on mental health. Adults with body image dissatisfaction have a higher risk of being depressed, anxious , and suicidal. Women seek to achieve what the media projects as the “perfect body” such as slimness, youthfulness and a flawless appearance which is usually digitally enhanced. On the other hand men suffer the same, wanting to become muscular , v-shaped bodies and with narrow hips and flat stomachs. These are idealized beauty standards which have become a norm in which men and women as well as growing adolescents try to achieve yet it is still unattainable for the vast majority.

Conclusion 

By creating unrealistic beauty standards and bodily perfection, Mass media has negatively impacted people and their perception of body image. This negative impact on self-image has developed results of low self esteem, behavioral disorders, as well as drastic measures in order to achieve these unattainable idea

 

Outline

Thesis Statement

By creating unrealistic beauty standards and bodily perfection, Mass media has negatively impacted people and their perception of body image. This negative impact on self-image has developed results of low self esteem, behavioral disorders, as well as drastic measures in order to achieve these unattainable ideals.

Argument 3– The act of comparing appearances has been shown to produced body image dissatisfaction, widely found in media images.

Argument 2 – As youth are especially susceptible to body image issues, special care should be taken with media content and other institutional messaging.

  • Mass media has the potential to increase positive body images for youth. The Body advocacy creates a inclusive space for all body types.
    —>This also creates the dilemma of bringing attention to one’s body even more.

Argument 1– Mass media has a responsibility for its content, because it has such a profound effect on mental health.

  • The Body positivity content has potential in increasing a users’ self-esteem.

Conclusion

Arguments 2 &3

Argument 2 – As youth are especially susceptible to body image issues, special care should be taken with media content and other institutional messaging.

  • Prabhu, S., & D’Cunha, D. (2018). Comparison of body image perception and the actual BMI and correlation with self-esteem and mental health: A cross-sectional study among adolescents. International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences. 145–149. https://proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com
  • Uchôa FNM, Uchôa NM, Alves N (2019) Influence of the Mass media and Body Dissatisfaction in the risk in Adolescent of Developing Eating Disorder. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Apr 29. doi:10.3390/ijerph16091508

Argument 3- The act of comparing appearances has been shown to produce body image dissatisfaction, widely found in media images.

Annotated Bibliography (4 of 4)

BeWell Stanford.Body Image: We can have full meaningful lives in the bodies we have. https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2020/09/28/body-image-we-can-have-a-full-meaningful-life-in-the-bodies-we-have/ 

What

This article supports healthy body image in men and women.

Who? 

BeWell Stanford. 

Why?

I chose this article because it talks about how to develop a healthier body image.To be comfortable in the body you have. 

When? 

Sep 28,2020. This article is fairly new, I feel it is relevant to my paper for it gives insight on healthier self image. 

Where? 

Stanford Medicine 

How? 

Through Google Searching keywords “Body Image”.

Annotated Bibliography (3 of 4)

LÓPEZ-GUIMERÀ, G. et al. Influence of Mass Media on Body Image and Eating Disordered Attitudes and Behaviors in Females: A Review of Effects and Processes. Media Psychology. http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ufh&AN=56043801&site=ehost-live

What

This articles discusses the influence of mass media on Body image and eating disorders in females.

Who? 

López-Guimerà – Department of Clinical and Health Psychology. 

Why? 

I chose the article because it discusses eating disorders and behaviors in females due to the influence of Mass media . It also shows how big of an issue body image was back then when technology wasn’t as advanced as it is now. 

When? This article was published in 2010. This article is 11 years old but I feel it represents how longthis has been a problem, and how much it has increased since then compared to the other articles I have listed. Technology has come a long way since 2010 and so has the mass media and the content it shows. 

Where? 

Media Psychology Journal 

How? This article was found through the OSU library Database. 

Annotated Bibliography (2 of 4)

Prabhu, S., & D’Cunha, D. (2018). Comparison of body image perception and the actual BMI and correlation with self-esteem and mental health: A cross-sectional study among adolescents. International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences. 145–149. https://proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com

What

This article examines a cross sectional study among young adults.  

Who?  

Sudhir Prabhu – Department of Community Medicine, Father Muller Medical College. 

Delma D’Cunha’- Department of Intern, Father Muller Medical College. 

Why?

I choose this article because it accurately shows the correlation of self esteem and mental health with Body image in younger adults. 

When? 

It was published in July-Sep. 2018. I feel this year is relevant to give supporting evidence to my argument. 

Where? 

International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences 

How? 

I found this article through the OSU Library Database.

Annotated Bibliography (1 of 4)

Uchôa FNM, Uchôa NM, Alves N (2019) Influence of the Mass media and Body Dissatisfaction in the risk in Adolescent of Developing Eating Disorder. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Apr 29. doi:10.3390/ijerph16091508

What

This articles discusses the mass media influence in adolescents. 

Who

Francisco Nataniel Macedo Uchôa- Department of Sports Sciences, Exercise and Health. 

Natalia Macêdo Uchôa- Department of Physiotherapy.

Nilton Alves- Center of Excellence in Surgical and Morphological Research, Faculty of Medicine,

Why

I choose this article because it focuses on the mass media aspect of body image. 

When

This article was published in 2019. The time frame is less than 5 years, this gives more accurate information on the higher use of mass media and how that affects body image. 

Where

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

How

I found this article through Google Scholar.

Interview answers

Donielle Lisbon MSSA, LSW

Outpatient and School District Mental Health Therapsit

Interview Questions 

  1. In terms of “body image”, do you think there is a specific definition of ‘perfection’ that most people want to achieve ?  
    I think the concept of perfection is driven by a lot of different things; environment, culture, anxiety, etc. It is an unattainable feat that only results in a constant and overwhelming gloom of failure. When it comes to body image, there is of course a standard created by “popular” culture, that unfortunately only shows one small part of what we are “supposed” to look like. If you don’t know that, and you aren’t sure of how it works, of course you get this warped ideal of the “perfect” body in comparison to your own. 

2. Is this due in part because of media portrayals? How? 

Absolutely, for as long as visual advertising has been around the media has been portraying to us what the “ideal” lifestyle is supposed to look like. I use the word advertising because that’s how it started and its just gotten more advanced and high tech these days. We call it social media but it genuinely at it’s core, is just advanced advertising. People get on there and think they are getting an inside look at their favorite artist or celebrities life and style and it is actually just them selling to you their brand. Which is their business. We idolize that, and then want to make our own lives a simulation of that. Not realizing we are going after the part of their life that they want us to see. 

3. What is viewed as a negative body image amongst your students ?

Because I work in an entire school district, I get to see a lot of the transformation of body image ideals from as young as 3rd grade all the way through high school. It evolves, and the negative views come from so many places including, skin color, hair type, size, height, muscle, clear skin. I mean I think this generation of kids have a significantly harder time with body image, and just image in general because they are being raised by a very volatile use of social media. 

4. Does that perception have emotional or behavioral effects? What are they? 

Yes, I mean kids are in the beginning of puberty and having such an increase in anxiety in panic that they can’t come to school because they have an acne break out. Clear skin is the standard right now and too many influencers are not taking the time to explain to their followers (who are majority kids) that acne is extremely normal. And most people don’t experience clearing skin until adulthood. Or the whole “snatched” ideal that just emphasizes for girls that you have to have a pretty much invisible waist line with big hips to be considered beautiful. The push of body advertising pushes the increase in eating disorders, which is rooted in perfection. Which like I said, is unattainable. 

5. Are there in positive messages in social media about body image?  Please elaborate. 

Yes, I mean with every negative ideal in the world there are still people pushing the more positive and realistic message. The message of a healthy relationship with yourself physically and emotionally. There are a lot of influencers who are pushing that agenda as much as they can you just have to know how to find it. 

6. How has social media and body image affected mental health?

It drives ideals of perfection. Which increases mental health issues like anxiety and depression, domestic violence, emotional abuse, and so on.

7.What is the age group that is affected the most by body image in your students ? Also state grade level.

It’s hard to say, because I think it varies. But I would say right now middle school aged kids. Specifically by age I would say about 11-14.

8. Are the boys in your group affected by the impact of mass media on body image ? Or is it only seen in girls ?

It is everyone. Person to person. I think people assume that it only impacts girls because that is how it is portrayed or shared most often. but I believe everyone is impacted by the negative rabbit hole of body image ideals. 

9. Are there other factors that play a role in your students body image, such as family, environment, culture background , attitudes of peers ? 

Yes, all of the above. it is genuinely just the pressure of all parts of the society around you that can impact your perception of yourself. 

10.Compared to the other factors you’ve mentioned, would social media be the top influence on that list? 

Yes, social media is highly advanced advertising. 

11.Considering when you were growing up, would you say body image was more highlighted then or now ? Please elaborate. 

It definitely played a big impact in my growing up. As it has for so many of us for years and years. I grew up at the start of social media. So we were all still trying to figure out how it worked and what it could be used for. The kids growing up now have it even harder because it has been understood, perfected, the power it has has been amplified, and I don’t think a lot of people still don’t know just how dangerous it is. 

Laura’s Presentation

While listening to Laura’s presentation it gave me a better understanding of technology and the evolution of it. The topic discussed google maps and his experience with it in developing pictures for the google maps to use for the Columbus flood in 1913. I feel as a student this well help with understanding and using google maps more, it help me understand the advancement of technology and the current changes that are happening.