Research article summary (published 26 Aug 2009):

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

Full Abstract

Experimental exposure to idealized media portrayals of women is thought to induce social comparisons in female viewers and thereby to be generally detrimental to female viewers' satisfaction with their own appearance. Through meta-analysis, the present paper examines the impact of moderators of this effect, some identified and updated from a prior meta-analysis and some that have hitherto received little attention. Participants' pre-existing appearance concerns and the processing instructions participants were given when exposed to media portrayals were found to significantly moderate effect sizes. With regard to processing instructions, a novel and counter-intuitive pattern was revealed; effect sizes were smallest when participants were instructed to focus on the appearance of women in media portrayals, and largest when participants processed the portrayals on a distracting, non-appearance dimension. These results are interpreted through a framework that suggests that social comparisons are automatic processes, the effects of which can be modified through conscious processing.

Author information

Author/s: Want, Stephen C (SC);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada. swant(-atsign-)ryerson.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Meta-Analysis; Review

Journal: Body image (Body Image), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 6 (issue 4) : pp 257-69

Dates: Created 2009/09/07; Completed 2009/10/20;

PMID: 19716779, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 10/20/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Body Image Ego Female Humans

Mass Media Personal Satisfaction Social Conformity Thinness - psychology

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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