The Effects of Appearance-Based Reality Shows on Body Image

<p>Media seems to play the largest role in transmitting messages regarding societal standards of attractiveness; especially in reinforcing the thin ideal for females. There is strong evidence indicating that females who are more likely to make appearance comparisons with thin images in the media often experience negative outcomes. Research has shown that increased exposure to thin images in the media is associated with higher body dissatisfaction and eating disorder features. A form of media that has been given little research attention is reality television, specifically appearance-based reality television. The current study examined the effects of viewership of appearance-based reality television shows on body image and eating behaviors. Participants were 154 undergraduate females of ages 18-25 at two Southern California universities. Results indicated that although participants reported lower levels of viewership of cosmetic surgery shows and fashion, style, and self-improvement makeover shows, a small positive relationship was found between viewership of fashion, style, self-improvement shows and thin ideal internalization. However, no relationships were found for either type of reality show and body dissatisfaction. There were significant relationships between viewership of cosmetic surgery reality shows and several features of eating disorders, including restrictive dieting, eating concerns, weight concerns, and shape concerns. Furthermore, social appearance comparisons, thin ideal internalization, and body dissatisfaction were significant predictors of appearance comparisons with reality television. These findings highlight the need to further examine the relationships found between viewership of appearance-based reality television shows, body image, and eating behaviors. It is likely the impact of such media depends on the occurrence of specific cognitive processes, such as appearance comparisons and thin ideal internalization, which can be targeted in future intervention.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2014

Author dc:creator

• Suplee, Amanda F.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Herbozo, Sylvia
• Arechiga, Adam L.
• Betancourt, Hector

• Clinical Psychology
• Psychology
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Body Image - Psychological aspects; Self-perception - Psychological aspects; Self-perception - Social Aspects; Reality Television programs; Social perception
• Media influence
• Societal standards of attractiveness
• Thin Ideal Internalization
• Body Dissatisfaction
• Appearance Comparisons

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/314

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1326