Investment in Appearance amidst Career Fair Sex - Term Paper Example

Running Head: APPEARANCE INVESTMENT AMONG CAREER WOMEN Appearance Investment among Career Women (Your Name) (Your School) Introduction a) Background of the study In the recent past, a number of studies have stressed the importance of image investment. Empirical studies have proved that the picture of our body is formed in our mind and it says to ourselves how we appear to other. Studies have also shown that in some cases, people who find their body image not satisfying find it hard to integrate with other people. According to Grogan (2008) body image can be defined as the person’s perceptions, thoughts, and the feelings one hold regarding her or his own body. Currently, the society has emphasized beauty on aspect of individual weight and shape and body weight and shape are considered controllable and definition of acceptable body image. The two main factors that compose body image are the individual evaluation of body image which contribute to body satisfaction and dissatisfaction, and body investment including the cognitive, behavioral, and the emotional importance and the individual appearance which is related to appearance self schemas (Clark and Tiggemann, 2007). Different individuals in the society have shown differing degree of image investment. In most case, this is dictated by appearance schemas which tend to reflect on one’s core assumptions or individual beliefs regarding the importance and the influence of personal appearance in life as it is perceived by the individual and by others (Marcus, 1977). In line with this definition of appearance schemas, an interesting trend has been observed among career women who work to the end to maintain a desired body image. Although there have been a number of studies that have looked at appearance investment in career women, very few studies have looked in particular parts that career women pay attention to or where women mostly invest. This study therefore intends to look at the particular areas where career women tend to pay attention in appearance investment. b) Importance of the study This study is important since it will increase the body of knowledge on body investment. The previous studies have looked at appearance investment in career women in terms of the factors contributing to this investment and the ways in which they implement appearance investment but very few studies have looked at the specific areas they emphasize on. Apart from adding to the currently existing body of knowledge the results of the study will be of importance not only to career women but also to investors in this area. c) Aims of the study The following will be the aims and objectives of the study: The main aim of the study will be to evaluate the most important areas in appearance investment for career women. Objectives: i. To evaluate the importance of appearance setting in career women ii. To assess the main reasons for appearance investment in career women iii. To evaluate the ways and means used by career women to enhance image investment iv. To assess the specific areas of concern for career women in image investment v. To evaluate whether career women pay more attention to their body image or their facial image in appearance investment d) Hypothesis Ho – Career women are more concerned with their facial appearance than their body appearance H1 – Career women are more concerned with their body appearance than their body appearance Methodology a) Design This study will be a qualitative study that will look into the subject of appearance investment. This will be a correlation study that will look into the statistical relationship between appearance investment in career women and the specific areas that they tend to lay emphasis on (Wagner, 2009). The study will look at the relationship between the following variables: Dependant variable – The dependant variable is the response that is usually measure in the study. In the study the dependant variable will be the particular areas of the body, specifically facial appearance and body image that will be measured in the study Independent variable – independent variable is the variable that is manipulated by in the research. In the study, the independent variable will be appearance investment. The study will use the survey through questionnaires. Survey method has been selected since it is simple, no expensive, and most flexible (Cafri et al., 2005). b) Samples Participants from the study will be drawn from among the career women in the city. The study will recruit about 50 women as participants in the study. This sample size will be distributed among four categories of career women. These include women working in offices, women working as teachers, self-employed business women who make business deals daily, and finally women working in the field like military personnel, mechanics, and others. Since career women fall in different categories from those working in offices and in other areas outside the office like in field work, the sample selected will be a representative of career women. In sample selection, the study will use random selection from among the career women. This will ensure that any woman considered being a career woman gets an equal chance of being selected to participate in the study. This will also eliminate bias in sample selection to ensure that the selected sample is a true representative of women population (Cash et al., 2003). c) Data collection tools Data will be collected mainly using questionnaires. The questionnaire for the study will be made of up of seven items which will be aligned to the objectives of the study (Worrell and Trevion, 2007). These will include: Appearance schemas – This will evaluate the perceive appearance of women and the reason for appearance investment. It will have about five items that will asses appearance schemas. Body Image Ideals Questionnaire (BIQ) – This will be included in the questionnaires with a number of items which will asses the perceived discrepancies and the ideals of the individual physical characteristics. Body Esteem Scale – This item will be included in the study to asses the possible areas that women esteem and therefore likely to invest more than others Body Areas Satisfaction Scale (MBSRQ) - This will asses the satisfaction with different body parts and hence appearance investment on those parts. d) Data collection procedures The research proposal will first seek the approach of the University faculty. After getting the approval from the university, the researcher will then write the letter of introduction of the study to the different organization to seek the consent of getting participants from the organization. Once the researcher gets the organizational approval, the next step will be to recruit individuals to participate in the study. This will involve giving them an introduction to the study and seeking their informant consent to participate. After recruiting participants the research will administer questionnaires and collected data which will be followed by data analysis. e) Data analysis The collected data will be analyzed using statistical tool. Since it is a quantitative study, it will employed different tools like ANOVA, MANOVA, and others. Data may be analyzed using SPSS program. f) Time schedule The study is expected to be completed within six months. The following is the Gantt chart for the study: Task Duration (Months) Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Preparation of the proposal and approval 1 XX Seeking authorization from University and target organization 2 XX XX Selection of participants 1 XX Data collection 3 XX XX XX Data analysis 2 XX XX Presentation of study results 1 XX Reference: Cafri, G., Yamamiya, Y., Brannick, M., & Thompson, K. (2005). The influence of social culture factors on body images: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology, Vol. 12(4) Cash, T., Melynyk, S. E., & Hrabosky, J. (2003). The assessment of body image investment: An extensive revision of the appearances schemes inventory. Wiley Periodicals Clark, L. & Tiggemann, M. (2007). Socio-cultural influences and body images of 9- to 12-Year old girls: The role of appearance schemas. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Vol. 36(1): 76-86 Fisher, R. (1966). The design of experiments. Hafner: Edinburgh Grogan, S. (2008). Body image. London: Routledge Marcus, H. (1977). Self-Schmata and processing information about self. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 35: 63-78 Wagner, K. (2009). Correlational studies. Retrieved 13th September 2009 from http://psychology.about.com/od/researchmethods/a/correlational.htm Worrell, A. & Trevion, C. (2007). Assessment of body image, appearance management, and psychological functioning among Hispanic collegiate females. Retrieved 13th September 2009 from http://counselingoutfitters.com/vistas/vistas07/Worrell.htm Read More