Body Image Satisfaction in Adolescent - Research Paper Example

Body Image Satisfaction The topic of image body perception is one that has not been explored exhaustively. To address the elusive topic of body image perception, an experiment was carried out. To have their opinion about negative and positive image perceptions, we used questionnaires where the questions were well structured to cover a variety of topics. The participants were a male and a female so that we could get views from both sexes. Answers to the general questions were analyzed; the results discussed and inferences made following the results. Adolescents who testified to more exposure to appearance on TV, extra frequent appearance conversions with peers, and greater intensity of appearance criticism from peers were assumed to report higher internalization regarding appearance ideals. The scale used was satisfaction scale of 1-5 was used where 1 represented NEVER and 5 OFTEN to the questions asked. We then used the results, integrating literature around the topic into the topic of body image satisfaction in the analysis and discussion. Finally, a conclusion was made. Introduction This is a replication of the previous work (Jones et. al., 2004). Body image perception refers to how an individual feels about his or her body. An individual who has positive body image is pleased about how they feel and look regarding their body. People may realize that their looks do not compare to those presented in the media or what friends and family say about them; however, when they are proud about how they look, they may feel just fine. One does not have to have a desire to become taller or thinner to alter their physique to anticipate gaining ideal body image. Positive body image is basically how an individual feels about themselves and their inner esteem. Physical fitness has a constructive effect on how an individual feels. Positive image is one that should be based on reality; how an individual sees themselves as they really are; not how others perceive them. This involves accepting parts of the body that are not standard or ideal. Generally, they should be happy about how they feel. Negative body image occurs when feels they do not meet the standards the society, friends, the media, and the family expect. They feel inadequate in comparison to others. This tendency and concern with body image is frequent for people with negative body images as compared to those with positive body images. Generally, people who have negative body image are being unrealistic. They see their reflections as unreal and distorted so they have esteem issues. Whereas it is normal to have negative perceptions about certain parts of the body, if the feeling persists longer, it could be detrimental. Girls in adolescence tend to be more insecure and dissatisfied with their bodies than girls. In men, masculinity traits include physical appearance. The research question here is: How are adolescent boys and girls perceive their appearances? What is the role of the media is this perception? Methodology Materials For this research, pens and questionnaires were used. Participants Two participants, one adolescent boy and one adolescent girl were included. The female participant was aged 12 while the male participant was aged 15. Procedure We went to their homes and after getting a verbal consent from the participants, we gave them questionnaires that touched on various topics including their favorite TV shows. We ensured that the questions touched on various aspects and did not include any leads. We ensured that the participants had enough time to answer the questions. To reduce biases, we asked more general questions and questions that suited each sex. The participants were placed separately so that so as to compromise the validity of their responses. The participants were randomly chosen. We sought their consent as well as their parents. We ensured them that we would not share their responses with any other parties; that this was exclusively for research purposes. For this research, satisfaction scale of 1-5 was used where 1 represented NEVER and 5 OFTEN to the questions asked (refer to the questions and answers. The two participants were given same set of questions except for the TV shows they preferred to watch. Questions about the TV shows they preferred to watch was structured in such a way that would help meet the hypothesis of the experiment. In total 14 questions were included in the questionnaires; 12 for general questions and 2 or Favorite TV show questions. Below are examples of questions we asked: 1. How frequently do you watch the TV show? (4= everyday, 3= several times a week, 2= once or twice a week, and 1= once or twice a month) 2. How often do you try the thinks suggested in the TV show (i.e. mimic the characters in the TV show)? (4= a lot, 3= sometimes, 2= not very often, 1= never) Results Participant 1: 12-year-old female General Questions Question:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Answer: 5 4 3 4 3 2 2 3 1 2 2 3 Participant 2: 15-year-old male Question: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Answer: 4 3 3 4 1 2 4 3 2 1 3 5 Discussion From the results the following can be inferred: adolescent boys are more preoccupied with their body shape and size; emanating from the results. Girls, on the other hand, adolescent girls will likely talk more about their appearances and will be more affected by the clothes they put on and how attractive they were. Both male and female adolescents viewed peers and friends to be harder critic of their appearances and behaviors. The male adolescents are more concerned with their muscle tone, size and body shape (Watkins, 2009). Girls give more priority to thinness and attractiveness. The media, such as TV, have a lower impact on male adolescents. However, peers have a higher impact on the male adolescents. The media has a higher impact on female adolescents; the same is the case with peer influence. Overall, female adolescents are more concerned with image satisfaction and appearance (Willett, 2007). The media plays a role in how adolescents perceive themselves as well as they perceive others. The media and peer criticism dictate how adolescents perceive themselves; has an impact on their self-esteem, and how satisfied or dissatisfied they will be with their bodies. The media has an impact on how people perceive beauty. However, TVs expose people to many hours every week and most of themes are linked to how people’s appearance. There is a general alarm and concern that media has had an overall powerful impact, especially on young girls and women who tend to compare themselves with underweight models and thus set unnatural and unrealistic targets. The fashion industry, for instance, has over the years paraded slender female models displaying the bodies. The ideal look has been ‘thin’ for femininity and “lean and big” for masculinity. These perceptions are harmful to physical health; what is more; they are damaging to mental health. As a result, there have been increased cases of eating disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia. Some researches show that societies where thinness is promoted as the ideal body shape have higher chances of eating disorders. Conclusion From the research conducted and the results, as well as their evaluation, it is evident that adolescents who report more exposure to appearance on TV, extra frequent appearance conversions with peers and friends, and higher levels of appearance criticisms from peers and friends report higher internalization concerning their ideals of appearance. Adolescent boys view muscles, body size and shape to be their ideal attributes; they are least influenced by appearance ideals depicted in TV shows. Girls, on the other hand, prefer attributes such as slimness and attractiveness as ideals of appearance; they are greatly affected by the appearance ideas depicted on TV. Overall, adolescents succumb to image body dis (satisfaction). References Body image. (2004). Amsterdam: Elsevier Science. Watkins, H. (2009). Body image. Farmington Hill, MI: Greenhaven Press. Willett, E. (2007). Negative body image. New York: Rosen Pub. Appendix Participant: 12-year-old female (1= never, 5=very often) 1. My friends and I talk about how our bodies look in our clothes. 1 2 3 4 5 2. My friends and I talk about what we would like our bodies to look like 1 2 3 4 5 3. My friends and I talk about how important it is to always look attractive 1 2 3 4 5 4. My friends and I talk about the size and shape of our bodies 1 2 3 4 5 5. My friends and I talk about what we can do to always look our best 1 2 3 4 5 6. Girls tease me or make fun of the size or shape of my body 1 2 3 4 5 7. Boys laugh at me or make fun of me because of my body 1 2 3 4 5 8. Boys tease me or make fun of me because of the size or build of my body 1 2 3 4 5 9. Girls laugh at me or make fun of me because of my body 1 2 3 4 5 10. Boys say I should go on a diet 1 2 3 4 5 11. Boys say that I would look better if I were thinner 1 2 3 4 5 12. Girls say that I would look better if I were thinner 1 2 3 4 5 Appearance TV Exposure What are your three favorite TV shows? (1= glamour, entertainment, sport & 0= other) Wizards of Waverly Place 0 1 iCarly 0 1 The Secret Life of the American Teenager 0 1 13. How frequently do you watch the TV show? (4= everyday, 3= several times a week, 2= once or twice a week, and 1= once or twice a month) 1 2 3 4 14. How often do you try the thinks suggested in the TV show (i.e. mimic the characters in the TV show)? (4= a lot, 3= sometimes, 2= not very often, 1= never) 1 2 3 4 Participant: 15-year-old male 4 3 3 4 1 2 4 3 2 1 3 5 1. My friends and I talk about how our bodies look in our clothes 1 2 3 4 5 2. My friends and I talk about what we would like our bodies to look like 1 2 3 4 5 3. My friends and I talk about how important it is to always look attractive 1 2 3 4 5 4. My friends and I talk about the size and shape of our bodies 1 2 3 4 5 5. My friends and I talk about what we can do to always look our best 1 2 3 4 5 6. Girls tease me or make fun of the size and shape of our bodies 1 2 3 4 5 7. Boys laugh at me or make fun of me because of my body 1 2 3 4 5 8. Boys tease me or make fun of me because of the size or build of my body 1 2 3 4 5 9. Girls laugh at me or make fun of me because of my body 1 2 3 4 5 10. Girls say I should build up my muscles 1 2 3 4 5 11. Girls say that I would look better if I had a more muscular build 1 2 3 4 5 12. Boys say I would look better if I were more muscular 1 2 3 4 5 Appearance TV Exposure What are your three favourite TV shows? (1= glamour, entertainment, sport & 0= other) The Big Bang Theory 0 1 Two and a Half Men 0 1 The Walking Dead 0 1 3. How frequently do you watch the TV show? (4= everyday, 3= several times a week, 2= once or twice a week, and 1= once or twice a month) 1 2 3 4 4. How often do you try the thinks suggested in the TV show (i.e. mimic the characters in the TV show)? (4= a lot, 3= sometimes, 2= not very often, 1= never) 1 2 3 4 Read More