Physical Appearance and Body Image

Mirror, mirror, on the wall…

Looks matter

• We live in an image conscious society • Attractive people enjoy numerous advantages – better liked – higher self esteem – more dates – greater social power – lighter jail sentences • The “Halo effect” • Attractiveness carries over to perceptions of other qualities – perceived intelligence – perceived friendliness – perceived happiness – perceived kindness

Does beauty come from within or without?

Appearances convey meaning

• Clothing – muffin top – whale tail – pants on the ground – skinny jeans • Artifacts – weaves, extensions – tattoos – piercing

The “beauty is good” stereotype

• “Physical appearance and beauty are unmistakably pervasive and powerful agents in the social world, and influence our conversation, reproductive decisions, and perceptions of ourselves and others” (Griffin & Langlois, 2006) • We are socialized to equate what is beautiful with what is good – Cinderella – Snow White – Goldilocks • Facebook – people with attractive friends were perceived as more attractive themselves • ratemyprofessor – “chile” rating

Body types

• Ectomorph: thin, bony, wiry, fragile, wizened • Mesomorph: muscled, v-shaped torso, broad shoulders, athletic • Endomorph: rounded, chubby, husky, pear shaped, “big-boned”

Body image

• Body image is an inner view of the outer self – One’s judgments about one’s own body – Body image is perceptual – Body image is acquired via socialization – Positive and negative feedback from others

Body dissatisfaction

• Body image is related to self esteem • Body dissatisfaction can result in: – anxiety – depression – eating disorders – substance abuse • The average woman is 5’4” and weighs 145 lbs.

• The average model is 5’ 10” and weighs 117 lbs.

Barbie vs. real women

• If Barbie were an actual person she would be 6 ft tall, weight 100 lbs, and wear a size 4.

• Her measurements would be 39”/19”/33”

Sources of body dissatisfaction

• Media use is directly linked to women’s body dissatisfaction (Grabe, Ward, & Hyde (2008) • Fashion industry – Leggy supermodels • Make-up industry – Look younger – Eliminate wrinkles • Women’s magazines – digital editing, airbrushing • MTV, music videos • Television – The Swan (Fox) – Extreme makeover (ABC) • Cinema – thin actresses • Victoria’s secret – “angels”

Counter media messages

– Dove’s real beauty campaign – Curves • “No makeup, no men, no mirrors” – Heavy actresses – Plus size models – TV shows • Biggest Loser • Ugly Betty • Glee

Ideology of beauty

• Schwichtenberg (1989) women are taught that beauty is a timeless, universal ideal to which all women should aspire – Women are inherently flawed without beauty products • Only 2% of women consider themselves beautiful • 80% of college women are dissatisfied with their body • 70% of college men are dissatisfied • Americans spend $40 billion annually on dieting and diet-related products

Thin is (still) in

• “you can never be too rich or too thin.” • Slimness is equated with success, popularity, fitness, attractiveness (Hawkins, Richard Granley, & Stein, 2004) • The majority of actors and actresses are underweight or thin (Fouts & Burgraf, 2000) – 76% of female characters are underweight – 19% of female characters are average – 5% are overweight

Still a double standard?

• Heavy actresses Kathy Bates Nikki Blonsky Judi Dench Ashley Fink Mercedes Jones Queen Latifah Melissa McCarthy Mo’nique Amber Riley • Heavy actors Alec Baldwin Jack Black Tom Arnold James Gandolfini Ricky Gervais Brenden Gleeson John Goodman Jonah Hill Phillip Seymour Hoffman Kevin James Oliver Platt Seth Rogan (now slimmer) Tom Sizemore Eric Stonestreet

Male body image

• Body dissatisfaction is less common in boys than girls • Unrealistic male images are on the rise – buff, ripped, cut – Increased steroid use – more cosmetic surgery • Males are increasingly being sexually objectified

The ideal male body

• then • now

Ethnicity and body image

• Homogenization toward a Western concept of beauty – thin – narrow noses – straight hair • Chris Rock’s documentary, “Good Hair” • White women tend to exhibit greater body dissatisfaction than African-American women – Okay to be “thick” – Big booties are desirable

Clothing as artifacts

• Decoration – Fashion, costume parties • Protection – UV, cold • Sexual attraction – Lingerie, muscle shirts • Concealment – hijab, burka • Group affiliation – Sports jerseys, frat wear • Persuasion – Job interview, causes • Status – Designer clothing, luxury brands • Comfort, functionality – Jeans, sweatshirt, pajamas