Date of Award

Summer 1998

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Program/Concentration

Psychology

Committee Director

Thomas F. Cash

Committee Member

Glynn D. Coates

Committee Member

Barbara A. Winstead

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.P65 M87

Abstract

The present experiment examined the impact of presenting information about the Advantages of Attractiveness or the Limitations of Attractiveness on women's body image experiences. One hundred and thirty-eight college students completed a pretest packet containing measures that assess state and trait body-image evaluation and appearance-related psychological investment. One week later they listened to audiotapes containing research-supported information about either the Advantages of Attractiveness or the Limitations of Attractiveness. Afterward, participants completed the measures of mood, state body image, and quality of life, manipulation check questions, and a post experimental inquiry. As expected, highly invested participants had a poorer body image and a more negative mood compared to low invested participants. Furthermore, as predicted, body image did not change for low investment participants between pretest and posttest. Contrary to prediction, body image improved for the high investment participants between pretest and posttest, regardless of condition. At posttest, following exposure to the experimental conditions, those that heard the Limitations condition reported a more favorable body image than those who were exposed to the Advantages condition. Clinical, theoretical, and social implications of the findings are discussed.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/gz5q-dg25

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS