| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to examine the role of social comparison
and the impact of idealized athletic images in the media on body image and mood.
The participants consisted of 90 undergraduate males and 132 undergraduate
females from Lakehead University. One-week prior to the experimental
manipulation, the participants completed a questionnaire package with the
following instruments: Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist-Revised, visual
analog scales for body image, State Self-Esteem Scale, Body-Image Ideals
Questionnaire, Usual Physical Activity, Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire,
Exercise Identity Scale, and Reasons for Exercise. At time 2, the participants were
randomly assigned to view either idealized images of female or male models
exercising. The participants then completed the mood and body image
questionnaires. Female participants reported a decrease in positive body image, a
decrease in positive affect, and an increase in desire to exercise following
exposure to athletic female models. The findings also indicated that exercise
frequency, exercise identity, body image, and exercising for motives of fitness,
attractiveness, and tone all predicted change in these state measures. Female
participants who viewed male athletic models reported a decrease in positive
affect following exposure. Male participants who viewed male athletic models
reported a decrease in positive affect following exposure. These findings provide
partial support for Festinger’s (1954) theory of social comparison. It would appear
that the impact of athletic media images is less aversive for males than females. | |
