Meta-analytic moderators of experimental exposure to media portrayals of women on female appearance satisfaction: Social comparisons as automatic processes

The effect of digital alteration disclaimer labels on social comparison and body image: Instructions and individual differences

“…It has now been well established that exposure to thin idealised media images can impact negatively on women's body image (Grabe, Ward, & Hyde, 2008;Groesz, Levine, & Murnen, 2002;Levine & Murnen, 2009;Want, 2009). These negative effects happen particularly for more vulnerable women, that is, for those who have internalised the thin ideal to a greater extent (Dittmar & Howard, 2004;Grabe et al, 2008;Groesz et al, 2002;Heinberg & Thompson, 1995;Yamamiya, Cash, Melnyk, Posavac, & Posavac, 2005) or for whom appearance is important to their self-concept (Dittmar & Howard, 2004;Halliwell & Dittmar, 2005).…”

“…Thus, it seems plausible that disclaimer labels indicating digital alteration might encourage women to be more critical of the unrealistic thin ideal images presented in fashion magazines. Based on the logic that negative body image results from comparisons with unrealistic thin ideal media images (Festinger, 1954;Thompson, Heinberg, Altabe, & Tantleff-Dunn, 1999;Want, 2009), it is reasoned that a disclaimer label would highlight a model's appearance as unrealistic and inappropriate as a comparison target. The disclaimer label would thereby reduce social comparison on the basis of appearance, and thus preserve body satisfaction (Tiggemann, Slater, Bury, Hawkins, & Firth, 2013).…”

“…Comparisons on the basis of appearance can be made consciously, but alternatively, they can be unintentional and automatic (Bessenoff, 2006;Gilbert, Giesler, & Morris, 1995;Want, 2009). It has been suggested that women may only consider the relevance or appropriateness of such comparisons after they have already been made, and may then attempt to "undo" them if the situation, their cognitive engagement, and their level of motivation allow (Gilbert et al, 1995;Want, 2009).…”

“…It has been suggested that women may only consider the relevance or appropriateness of such comparisons after they have already been made, and may then attempt to "undo" them if the situation, their cognitive engagement, and their level of motivation allow (Gilbert et al, 1995;Want, 2009). In all previous experimental investigations ( Ata et al, 2013;Bury et al, 2015;Tiggemann et al, 2013) participants were requested to rate the advertisements on non-appearance qualities such as creativity, layout, and effectiveness.…”

“…In all previous experimental investigations ( Ata et al, 2013;Bury et al, 2015;Tiggemann et al, 2013) participants were requested to rate the advertisements on non-appearance qualities such as creativity, layout, and effectiveness. Thus, it is possible that the cognitive load involved in making these ratings inadvertently left participants with insufficient capacity to consciously undo any inappropriate comparisons (Gilbert et al, 1995;Want, 2009). …”