Body-cathexis and the ideal female figure.

Abstract

B ODY-CATHEXIS is defined as the degree of satisfaction reported by a person with aspects of his own body. In an earlier study (6), the authors reported a method for the measurement of this variable, and demonstrated that mean body-cathexis ratings for 46 parts of the body were correlated with selfcathexis scores, a projective homonym test of anxious body-concern (5), and Maslow's test of psychological security-insecurity (3).This first study served to demonstrate that feeling toward the body is a significant personality variable with mental health implications.In a second study (2), the question was considered, why will a person report that he likes or dislikes a given part of his body? What scalable properties of a body aspect are related to the cathexis rating that an S will assign to it? It is obvious that a body part may be evaluated from many viewpoints, some readily scalable, and others not, viz: its shape, color, size, weight, attractiveness to others, etc. From among these possibilities, the writers selected size as a probable correlate of cathexis, and proceeded to test the prediction that with male subjects (5s), cathexis ratings for selected body parts would correlate with the measured size of these parts. The prediction was upheld, and the inference made that large size was a desirable quality to males.The present study, conducted with female 5s, is an extension of the previous one, with some revision of procedure. The aim is to explore the relationships between cathexis ratings for selected body parts, and three expressions of the size of those parts: measured size, selfestimated size, and self-ratings of ideal size. METHOD Hypotheses

The Barbie Mystique: Satisfaction with Breast Size and Shape across the Lifespan

“…Consistent with the idea that women feel pressure to possess large breasts, several studies have found that many college women would like to have larger breasts (e.g., Arkoff & Weaver, 1966;Forbes & Frederick, 2008;Harrison, 2003;Jacobi & Cash, 1994;Jourard & Secord, 1955;Tantleff-Dunn & Thompson, 2000;Thompson & Tantleff, 1992). In an illustrative study of 123 college women, 46% of the participants reported that they desired larger breasts (Forbes, Jobe, & Revak, 2006).…”

“…Overall, 25% of the women reported being often to always dissatisfied with their breast size, and women who reported an "A" cup size were most likely to feel this way (50%) and to desire larger breasts (90%). Research also shows that women who are dissatisfied with their breasts reported greater general body dissatisfaction (Forbes & Frederick, in press;Jourard & Secord, 1955;Koff & Benavage, 1998). This appears to be true not only for women who would like larger breasts, but also for the minority of women who desire smaller breasts (e.g., Koff & Benavage, 1998).…”

Susceptibility to Eating Disorders Among Collegiate Female Student–Athletes

“…18 Body cathexis is closely related to body image but specifically focuses on body satisfaction. Body satisfaction is the evaluative dimension of body image and is defined as positive and negative feelings toward one's body.…”

“…Body satisfaction is the evaluative dimension of body image and is defined as positive and negative feelings toward one's body. 18 The Body Cathexis Scale measures the degree of satisfaction with several body parts and features, including facial features, complexion, hair, hips, thighs, buttocks, waist, stomach, bust, shoulders, arms, muscle tone, weight, height, and overall appearance. Participants respond on a scale for each body part and feature listed with 5 possible responses: strong feelings and wish change could somehow be made (1 point), don't like, but can put up with (2 points 24 The average Body Cathexis score was calculated by summing the answers for the 46 items and dividing the sum by 46, resulting in a number between 1 and 5.…”

“…[1][2][3] Individuals may have personality and psychological characteristics, such as their self-concept and satisfaction with their body and appearance, which affect their susceptibility to eating disorders. 17 Body image, defined as the degree of satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the various parts or processes of the body, 18 is just one of the variables used to assess physical self-perception and is related to overall self-esteem. Body dissatisfaction is also related to gender, with women routinely reporting less satisfaction with their bodies than men.…”