Comparing to perfection: How cultural norms for appearance affect social comparisons and self-image

Future directions for positive body image research

“…For most nonappearance domains, individuals tend to engage in self-serving social comparisons that maintain or enhance their self-esteem. In contrast, the majority of women, but not men, report a quite different and self-depreciating comparison habits for appearance-focused social comparison (Strahan, Wilson, Cressman, & Buote, 2006). Compared to comparisons on nonappearance domains, women report more upward comparisons with distant comparison targets, such as models, that are likely to lead to negative appearance-evaluation.…”

“…Compared to comparisons on nonappearance domains, women report more upward comparisons with distant comparison targets, such as models, that are likely to lead to negative appearance-evaluation. For nonappearance domains women report more downward comparisons with close comparison targets such as friends and family (Strahan et al, 2006). There are also individual differences in comparison habits, and there is evidence that body dissatisfaction is associated with more Schema Theory proposes that an individual's processing of appearance-related information depends on the set of self-schemas they hold about themselves and their appearance (Altabe & Thompson, 1996).…”

Self-Defining Memories of Body Image Shame and Binge Eating in Men and Women: Body Image Shame and Self-Criticism in Adulthood as Mediating Mechanisms

“…In fact, the display of a body image with valued features has always 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 played an important role in the interplay of others' and self evaluations (Strahan, Wilson, Cressman, & Buote, 2006). In particular for women, physical appearance has been a fundamental dimension for self-evaluation and for determining whether one is accepted and valued by others (Burkle, Ryckman, Gold, thornton, & Audesse, 1999;Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997;Gatward, 2007;Gilbert, 2002;Gilbert, Price, & Allan, 1995).…”

Comparação Social, Insatisfação Corporal e Comportamento Alimentar em Jovens Adultos

“…Strahan, Wilson, Cressman e Buote (2006) identificaram que jovens adultas fazem comparação de seu corpo com modelos idealísticos de magreza propagados na televisão tão frequentemente quanto comparam às amigas ou indivíduos próximos a elas. Este comportamento é repetido rotineiramente, ainda que o processo de comparação ocasione consequências negativas sobre a imagem corporal destas mulheres (Strahan et al, 2006).…”

“…Segundo o autor, apenas comparações com indivíduos de características similares podem fornecer informações acuradas. No entanto, é observado que grande parte dos sujeitos utiliza padrões de corpo distantes da realidade da maioria das pessoas, como os divulgados pela mídia, para comparar atributos como a beleza e aparência corporal (Holland & Tiggemann, 2016;Strahan et al, 2006). Esses padrões são extensivamente divulgados nos meios de comunicação como revistas, jornais, internet e televisão, e tornam-se parte da rotina do indivíduo.…”