Gender Differences in the Evaluation of Physical Attractiveness Ideals for Male and Female Body Builds

Abstract

The purposes of this research were (1) to explore gender differences in the evaluation of physical attractiveness stimuli developed to represent commonly occurring real builds, (2) to identify observers' concepts of physical attractiveness ideals promoted by the media, and (3) to begin cross-validation of these stimuli as representations of observers' concepts of ideal physical attractiveness for male and female builds. Responses included (1) open-ended descriptions of ideal male and ideal female build, (2) ratings of relative attractiveness of 12 male and 15 female stimuli, (3) selections of stimulus types which best represented ideal builds, and (4) selections of stimulus types perceived to be promoted by the media. Analysis showed strong cross-validation among modes of response. Ideal male build included average/balanced type (small and medium), lean/broad-shouldered type (large), and muscular bulk type (medium). Ideal female body build included average/balanced type (small and medium) and lean/broad-shouldered type (small and medium). Gender differences were in emphasis only. Women emphasized lean/broad-shouldered and average/balanced male types. Men emphasized the muscular bulk male type. Body types perceived to be media-promoted highlighted stereotypic male muscularity and female leanness.

Biceps and Body Image: The Relationship Between Muscularity and Self-Esteem, Depression, and Eating Disorder Symptoms.

“…Our findings suggest that contemporary American men display substantial body dissatisfaction and that this dissatisfaction is closely associated with depression, measures of eating pathology, use of PESs, and low self-esteem. These findings reinforce the speculations of many theorists that today's men are laboring under increased societal and media pressures to meet an ever more unrealisticbody ideal (Brodie et al, 1991;Davis, 1985;Dibiase & Hjelle, 1968;Dolan et al, 1997;Guy et al, 1980;Herzog et al, 1991;Mishkind et al, 1986;Salusso-Deonier et al, 1993;Staffieri, 1967;Thompson & Tantleff, 1992;Tucker, 1982).…”

“…& Lacey, 1987;Guy, Rankin, & Norvell, 1980;Herzog et al, 1991;Salusso-Deonier, Markee, & Pedersen, 1993;Staffieri, 1967;Thompson & Tantleff, 1992;Tucker, 1982). As noted in earlier studies, the striking gulf between men's actual and desired muscularity may reflect societal and media pressures on modern men to be ever more muscular .…”

Body Concerns In and Out of the Bedroom: Implications for Sexual Pleasure and Problems

“…John (2003), heterosexual men now feel pressure to be ''metrosexual,'' a term recently coined for heterosexual men who devote considerable attention to their physical appearance and clothing. These changes have led some theorists to argue that, similar to the unrealistically thin female body ideal, the media has created physical ideals for men that are impossible to achieve (Salusso-Deonier, Markee, & Pedersen, 1993). In fact, research suggests that heterosexual men are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with their physical appearance Frith & Gleeson, 2004;Zelman, 2005).…”

Reasons for Exercise and Body Esteem: Men's Responses to Self-Objectification

“…Men are increasingly subject to articles and advertising in magazines, and to role models in films and on television, that promote images of an ideal male physique that is muscular, mesomorphic, and sharply defined (e.g., McCreary & Sasse, 2000;Morrison et al, 2003;Morry & Staska, 2001;Pope, Olivardia, Gruber, & Borowiecki, 1999). As with the thin ideal for women, such a physique is impossible for most men to attain (Salusso-Deonier, Markee, & Pedersen, 1993). For example, Pope et al's (1999) analysis of the evolution of male action toys concluded that if one contemporary toy (the GI Joe Extreme) was life-size, its biceps would be larger than any bodybuilder could possibly attain.…”