Notes

Outline

Determinants of Attractiveness: Considering the Relationship Between Attractiveness and the Ideal Body Size Lydia J. Davis Hanover College

Ideal Body Size Garner et al.  (1980)– People pursue an ideal body size in themselves and in their mates. Norm for attractiveness, beauty, and desired figure Explanations include both cultural and socio-biological perspectives

Factors of Perceived Attractiveness Cultural Perspective- Influence of SES and Popular Culture Socio-biological Perspective– Signs of Sexual Maturity

Socio-economic Status and Cultural Differences Cogan & Bhalla (1996)– in developing countries, obesity is associated with wealth and abundance Tiggeman & Rothblum (1988)- in United States, obesity is associated with laziness, unattractiveness, and self-indulgence

Popular Culture and Cultural Differences Myers & Biocca (1992)- television can alter a woman’s perception of her body shape Norton, et.al (1996)- Barbie and Ken doll analysis and the culturally ideal body shape

Socio-biological Influence Anderson et.al (1992)- biological function of fat for women Singh & Luis (1995)- various cultural groups have similar criteria for judging the ideal woman’s shape

Hypotheses Cultural Perspective: Ideal Size of women will be different among different cultures. The lower the SES, the larger the ideal body size. The lower the media exposure, the larger the ideal body size.

Hypotheses Socio-biological Perspective: There will be no difference between the perceived ideal body size of the subjects from the United States and the other represented countries.

Method Subjects– 175 volunteers from the United States and various other countries. Mean Age:  22.4 years Gender: 140 F, 35 M Country: 124 from the USA, 51 from various other countries Had to indicate consent in order to access site

Internet Survey Translation of Survey Sections of Survey Demographics Media Exposure Body Scales Ideal, Current, Opposite Sex Preference

Results– Correlations

Results– ANCOVA Dependent Variable– Ideal Size Total Media Exposure   F(1, 142) = 9.107 Weight F(1, 142) = 11.101 Income = n.s. Sex = n.s. Multiple Regression Beta (total media) = -.245 Beta (weight) = .349

Discussion Partial support for Cultural Perspective Media Exposure influences both men and women in their perceptions of the ideal size No support for income except negative correlation

Discussion How does this apply to our culture? Furnham & Alibhai (1983)– Awareness of cultural ideal can lead one to strive for the thinner ideal. Silverstein, Peterson, & Perdue (1986)– Unrealistic ideal size can lead to eating disorders.

Discussion A more direct measure of media exposure More representation from a more culturally diverse country. Problems with data collection Anecdotal evidence Ideal size for women