Body Image and The Media

Body Image and the Media
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Thesis Statement
Researchers have proved that the idealized thin image of models as depicted in the media imagery has disastrous effects such as low self-esteem, depression, and developing of poor eating habits. However, scholars and researchers alike have hypothesized that improving media literacy, use of average body size models, and education on the myths and realities of media representation will serve an edge towards reversing negative body image status in both men and women.
Diedrichs, P. C., & Lee, C. (2011). Waif goodbye! Average-size female models promote positive body image and appeal to consumers. Psychology & Health, 26(10), 1273-1291. doi:10.1080/08870446.2010.515308
This article is well-organized to meet the standard of a primary research article. The authors hypothesize that exposing women and men to media imagery constituting of average-size models is likely to improve their body image state than the current idealized perfect thin models. To investigate their claim, the authors start by an in-depth review of the available literature that has investigated a similar claim (average size model research) and with a focus on the United Kingdom (UK). The authors then conduct primary research on a sample of 291Australians aged 17-25 years-this age range is very relevant. This primary research is reliable since it is conducted with regard to the Human Research Ethics Committee. Furthermore, the use of control conditions of no models and thin models is influential in validating their research.

However, the use of deep statistical methods to analyze their results may be disadvantageous to readers with poor statistical knowledge.

Haas, C. J., Pawlow, L. A., Pettibone, J., & Segrist, D. J. (2016). An Intervention for the Negative Influence of Media on Body Esteem. College Student Journal, 405-418. Retrieved March 25, 2018
This article is well-organized with notable subsections of methods, results, and discussion. The authors reaffirm the facts from previous research that suggest that the idealized thin model in the media results in low self-esteem, depression, and a negative body image status. The authors hypothesize that educating women on the myths and realities of the idealized image of thin models would pose an advantage towards reversing the low body image status in women. They endeavor in primary research on 160 female college students (80 are taken as control). This research is reliable having been approved by an institutional review board. Furthermore, this research is unique since it utilizes a time control by requiring the participants to return for an interview after three weeks. Through the use of BMI and sexual attractiveness scale, the authors conclude that media truth representation has a significant effect towards enhancing body image status.
Mclean, S. A., Paxton, S. J., & Wertheim, E. H. (2016). Does Media Literacy Mitigate Risk for Reduced Body Satisfaction Following Exposure to Thin-Ideal Media? Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45(8), 1678-1695. doi:10.1007/s10964-016-0440-3
This article is proficient in the methods used to assess the effect of media literacy on adolescents’ body image status. This article is unique since it identifies a new protective factor, media literacy; aside from the initial belief in body appreciation. Further, the authors endeavor to prove that an individual’s ability to initialize the thin-ideal medial imagery as well as the tendency to compare the self to idealized ‘significant others’ are potential risk factors threatening body appreciation. The researchers have used a sample of 259, which is large enough, secondary school students. The participants are from Austria, Europe, and other parts of the world; hence, validating the results. The use of the CTMM scale to measure media literacy and SATAC to measure internalization of the thin-ideal ensure this research is consistent with previous studies. The authors conclude that individuals with high critical thinking hare better placed to internalize the realities of the media thin-ideal image, hence, the need to improve adolescents’ media literacy to reverse low body image status.
References
Diedrichs, P. C., & Lee, C. (2011). Waif goodbye! Average-size female models promote positive body image and appeal to consumers. Psychology & Health, 26(10), 1273-1291. doi:10.1080/08870446.2010.515308
Haas, C. J., Pawlow, L. A., Pettibone, J., & Segrist, D. J. (2016). An Intervention for the Negative Influence of Media on Body Esteem. College Student Journal, 405-418. Retrieved March 25, 2018
Mclean, S. A., Paxton, S. J., & Wertheim, E. H. (2016). Does Media Literacy Mitigate Risk for Reduced Body Satisfaction Following Exposure to Thin-Ideal Media? Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45(8), 1678-1695. doi:10.1007/s10964-016-0440-3