Anything but Real: Body Idealization and Objectification of MTV Docusoap Characters

Flynn, Mark A.; Park, Sung‐Yeon; Morin, David; Stana, Alexandru

doi:10.1007/s11199-015-0464-2

Cited by 41 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…First, content analyses consistently proved that media carry the idea that physical appearance is of value, especially in romantic and sexual relationships (e.g., Ward, 1995). The appearance standards that are being equated with sexiness are often narrowly defined and associated with a particular body type that is almost impossible to attain (e.g., Flynn et al, 2015;Rohlinger, 2002;Vandenbosch & Eggermont, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Although physical appearance is a natural occurring component of sexual desirability, the narrowly defined standards used by popular media to define sexual attractiveness are rather artificial constructs of a cultural practice that is called sexualization. In particular, sexualizing content is characterized by a focus on curvaceously thin women and lean muscular men; these often unattainable body shapes are considered to be important cues for being sexually attractive (e.g., Flynn, Park, Morin, & Stana, 2015;Gunter, 2014). As such, sexualizing media tend to portray these appearance ideals as providing an important advantage for attracting the opposite sex (e.g., Northup & Liebler, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Dual Role of Media Internalization in Adolescent Sexual Behavior

et al. 2016

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Sexualizing media content is prevalent in various media types. Sexualizing media messages and portrayals emphasize unattainable body and appearance ideals as the primary components of sexual desirability. The internalization of these ideals is positively related to self-objectification and sexual body consciousness. In turn, self-objectification and sexual body consciousness affect adolescents' sexual behavior, albeit in opposing directions. While objectifying self-perceptions are linked to higher levels of sexual behavior, body consciousness during physical intimacy is linked to lower levels of sexual behavior. Based on this knowledge, the present three-wave panel study of 824 Belgian, predominant heterosexual adolescents (M = 15.33; SD = 1.45) proposes a dual-pathway model that investigates two different pathways through which the internalization of media ideals may impact adolescents' sexual behavior. An inhibitory pathway links media internalization to lower levels of sexual behavior through sexual body consciousness, and a supportive pathway links media internalization to higher levels of sexual behavior through self-objectification. Structural equation analyses supported the proposed dual-pathway, showing that the impact of media internalization on adolescents' sexual behavior proceeds through an inhibitory pathway and a supportive pathway. Regarding the supportive pathway, media internalization (W1) positively predicted sexual behavior (W3), through valuing appearance over competence (W2). Regarding the inhibitory pathway, media internalization (W1) positively predicted body surveillance, which, in turn, positively predicted sexual body consciousness (all W2). Sexual body consciousness (W2) is negatively related to sexual behavior (W3). From a sexual developmental perspective, these findings emphasize the importance of guiding adolescents in interpreting and processing sexualizing media messages.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Dual Role of Media Internalization in Adolescent Sexual Behavior

et al. 2016

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“…These latter attributes are much simpler to infer from visual images than a judgement about intelligence, and are also features that are much more likely to be portrayed in images containing models whose appearance is consistent with the thin-ideal, which are prominent in contemporary media [46]. Thus, the perceptions of intelligence item may be less relevant for assessing desirability of media in relation to appearance and eating content.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The measurement of media literacy in eating disorder risk factor research: psychometric properties of six measures

2016

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BackgroundEvaluation of media literacy-based interventions for the prevention of eating disorder risk is limited by the lack of appropriate measures with established psychometric properties with which to assess change in media literacy. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the psychometric properties and use in eating disorders risk factor research of six measures of media literacy that assess media processing and critical thinking about general media and critical thinking about appearance-focused media.MethodsThe factor structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity, including convergent and discriminant validity, were examined in six measures in two samples of early adolescent females. The measures were the Realism Scepticism, Similarity Scepticism, and Desirability Scepticism subscales of the Media Attitudes Questionnaire, the Fake subscale of the Critical Processing of Beauty Images Scale, the Critical Thinking about Media Messages scale, and Critical Thinking about Media Messages - Appearance Focus scale.ResultsThe factor structure of the measures was supported with factor analysis. Items from the Media Attitudes Questionnaire loaded on the three subscales Realism Scepticism, Similarity Scepticism, and Desirability Scepticism and items from each of the Fake subscale, Critical Thinking about Media Messages scale and Critical Thinking about Media Messages - Appearance Focus scale loaded on one scale. In addition, scores on the measures were reliable (adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability) and valid (adequate construct, convergent, and discriminant validity) in early adolescent females. Two exceptions were Realism Scepticism, which had slightly low test-retest reliability, and the Fake subscale, for which support for construct validity was lacking.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence to support the use of select media literacy measures, particularly the Realism Scepticism subscale and the Critical Thinking about Media Messages scale, in eating disorder risk factor research and the findings will contribute to enhanced evaluation of media literacy-based prevention interventions.

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“…Participants attributed the origins of feminine ideals to ''society,'' suggesting women perceived pressures as deriving from such a range of sources that it was too limiting to attribute the derivation of these ideals to one source; yet, the importance of popular media is exemplified through the variety of examples given by women referring to cultural portrayals of ideals. Women described perfection as being ''skinny'' yet curvaceous and ''put together,'' upholding prior research on the ''curvaceously thin'' ideal promoted through popular media (e.g., [20,24]). In the context of comparisons, they felt others used these ideals to judge them and accordingly used these ideals to judge themselves, perpetuating the prevalence of emphasized feminine ideals of physical appearance and demeanor [13,51].…”

Section: Comparisons and Feminine Idealsmentioning

confidence: 68%

“…In considering such relational aggression found through adolescence, we look to address a lack of research on young women's own constructions of the origins and causes of competition amongst women. Emerging adulthood (approximately ages [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] offers such an opportunity as it is marked by increased selfreflection, independence, and insulated interactions with peers, during which time young women have opportunities to distance from their youthful identities [2,17]. Beyond this, women can be held increasingly accountable to feminine ideals through transitions into adulthood, so that issues related to their femininity may be intensified during this time [3,50].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When Beauty Brings Out the Beast: Female Comparisons and the Feminine Rivalry

2016

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Research on competition amongst women has largely focused on relational aggression amongst adolescents, but less explored are women's understandings of the origins of competition as it relates to comparisons amongst women and feminine ideals. Drawing on semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 30 collegiate women, we find young women's stories constructed comparisons and competition amongst women as never-ending and seemingly natural, although they point to restricted societal expectations of femininity as its origin. Women drew from the interrelated topics of perfection-seeking, media portrayals, relationships, and consumerism to explain how they and other women negotiated feminine ideals. Even if participants understood these actions as ultimately undermining their self-image, they still perceived achieving goals of femininity as connected with perfection and happiness. We define such ongoing comparisons and competition as a feminine rivalry, as women perceived other women as direct competitors and thus understanding of the nature of the competition. We conclude by considering how collegeaged women's negotiations of feminine ideals to seemingly bolster or secure their social positioning in a hierarchy of femininity, at times in contradictory ways, offers additional insight into connections between interpersonal dynamics, expectations, and stereotypes of women.

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Anything but Real: Body Idealization and Objectification of MTV Docusoap Characters

Cited by 41 publications

References 45 publications

The Dual Role of Media Internalization in Adolescent Sexual Behavior

The Dual Role of Media Internalization in Adolescent Sexual Behavior

The measurement of media literacy in eating disorder risk factor research: psychometric properties of six measures

When Beauty Brings Out the Beast: Female Comparisons and the Feminine Rivalry

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