Research Methods

Media Influence on Body Image

Michele Jackson

Argosy University

Media Influence on Body Image

RQ-Does Reality TV influenced perceived body image in the adolescent child?

Null (HO) Reality TV does not influenced perceived body image in the adolescent child.

Research (H1)-Reality TV does influence perceived body image in the adolescent child.

Outline

1. Introduction: Media Influence on Body Image

· Research question: Does Reality TV influence body image in the adolescent child?

· Implication: Media portrayal has an influence one's perception of body image. This study will concentrate on young people relationship between body image and media influence.

· Revised hypothesis: H0 Reality TV does not influence body image in the adolescent child; H1 Reality TV does influence perceived body image in the adolescent child

2. Review of the Literature

· Sociological research on young people’s awareness of their body image (Granatino, R., & Haytko, D. L. (2013). Body image, confidence, and media influence: A study of middle school adolescents. Journal of Applied Business Research, 29(1), 45. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1426770036?accountid=34899)

· Measurement of risk in the development of image and eating disturbances in adolescence: (Cusumano, D. K. (2001). Media influence and body image in 8-11-year-old boys and girls: a preliminary report on the multidimensional media influence scale. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 29(1), 37-44.)

· Research on the effects of television and magazines on body image and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in females (López-Guimerà, G., Levine, M., Sánchez-Carracedo, D., & Fauquet, J. (2010). Influence of mass media on body image and eating disordered attitudes and behaviors in females: A review of effects and processes. Media Psychology, 387-416. doi:1060153269-2010.525737)

· The study will use a 6-step thematic approach to analyzing the data

· The body dissatisfaction subscale of the eating disorder inventory will measure different parts of the body such as the thighs and waist

· Multidimensional Media Influence Scale will measure media promotion, publicized ideas, attractiveness, and perception

3. Conclusion

· Females are more likely than males to report influence on media images

· It is important to encourage adolescents to use education to appraise media images

· The impact of media on cross-cultural differences, ethnic identity, and acculturation need substantial clarification.

Sampling Method

The sample method that would be used for research conducted for this paper would be the simple random sampling technique. This method would offer an unbiased result, an ability to reach a targeted population, with an easy way to gather and analyze the data.

Using the simple random sampling method allows for every member of the population to have an equal chance of being selected for the survey. This is made possible by using a numbering chart and each member receiving a random number with an equal chance of being or not being selected. Inclusive criteria that would be used would be simple demographics; age; ranging from nine to sixteen, gender; focusing on females, race and socioeconomic status and mental status. These factors are important in determining if there is a certain group that has potential to be influenced by the media. Factors that would not be included would be religious affiliation, and genetic traits.

Ethical issues that might arise while conducting this form of data collection would be compromising the results of the survey. Confidentiality; it is essential to maintain that the participants personal information remains confidential at all times. Informed consent; the participants must be aware of what the questionnaire will contain, and how it will be conducted. It is also crucial for the researcher to get the participants consent, in writing.

Annotated Bibliography

Cusumano, D. K. (2001). Media influence and body image in 8-11-year-old boys and girls: a preliminary report on the multidimensional media influence scale. International journal of eating disorders, 29(1), 37-44.

Research conducted by Cusumano on influence of body image from the media used a total of 182 participants; 75 boys and 107 girls, 69% of the boys and girls were white, 18% African American, and 12% were from other races. The participants were given a packet to fill out during regular school hours in a classroom setting. The questionnaire used a three point Likert Scale (1- disagree, 2- Not sure, 3-Agree) the questions were developmentally appropriate for the subjects ages and grade level, large font was used to minimize distractions, and the test consisted of a total of 29 questions to minimize fatigue. The questionnaire consisted of a practice question to warm the children up, as well as to confirm that they understood how to answer the questions. The findings of the research concluded that females have a higher score confirming that girl’s body image is influenced by the media. The research is very pertinent in proving my hypothesis that adolescent girl’s body images are influenced by the media.

Lawrie, Z., Sullivan, E. A., Davies, P. W., & Hill, R. J. (2006). Media influence on the body image of children and adolescents. Eating disorders, 14(5), 355-364.

Lawrie, Sullivan, Davies, and Hill conducted a study using 925 students; 634 girls and 291 boys from both private and public schools. Ages ranging from nine years of age to 14 years of age using a “Sociocultural Influence Questionnaire” a five section questionnaire consisting of 62 questions filled out by students during class time. Three main questions were “do the media give the idea that you should be slimmer? Do the media give the idea that you should gain weight? Do the media give the idea that you should be more muscular? Answers were assessed using a Likert-type scare with five responses: strongly agree, agree, unsure, disagree and strongly disagree. The answers were then transformed into a score ranging from one to five; a score of one equals to strongly agree, five strongly disagree. An overall low test score would indicates greater agreement that the media does influence, a high score would indicate that there is minimal agreement that the media influences adolescents. Conclusion of this study states that girls have a higher score than boys, meaning that girls are more influenced by the media than boys. This article fits right in with my theory that the media has a profound effect on the body image of young girls.

Granatino, R., & Haytko, D. L. (2013). Body image, confidence, and media influence: A study of middle school adolescents. Journal of applied business research, 29(1), 45. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1426770036?accountid=34899

Granatino and Haytko conducted research to find out if media influenced body image and testing if there were differences among African Americans, Hispanics and Caucasians. The test used a total of 53 subject’s ages ranging from 12-15 years of age. The study consisted of an open-ended survey with three basic questions pertaining to the effect of Society and media’s influence on body image and self-confidence. The questions were “yes” or “no” questions with results of males being uninfluenced, African American scored the lowest, Hispanic females scored the highest. This article fits right in with my paper to prove that females are highly influenced by the media.

López-Guimerà, G., Levine, M., Sánchez-Carracedo, D., & Fauquet, J. (2010). Influence of mass media on body image and eating disordered attitudes and behaviors in females: A review of effects and processes. Media psychology, 387-416. doi:1060153269-2010.525737

Research conducted by Lopez, Levine et al, (2010) looks at many studies conducted on the influence of media on body images. In one study with 548 participating preadolescents and adolescents 69% agree that the images portrayed in the media do influence their conception of body image. 47% stated that they wanted to lose weight after viewing images of thin women. Having a multitude of studies in one articles all claiming to have the same results; body image is influenced by media, is very important information to prove my point when I put my paper together.

Spurr, S., Berry, L., & Walker, K. (2013). Exploring adolescent views of body image: the influence of media. Issues in comprehensive pediatric nursing, 36(1/2), 17-36. doi:10.3109/01460862.2013.776145

Spurr, Berry, and Walker conducted research on the influence of body image using 46 participants; 28 females and 18 males between the ages of 16-19 from two moderately populated schools; the adolescents were from multiple cultures and socio-economic stature. The participants answered questions verbally (which was recorded) such as “what does psychological wellness mean to you?” “Are there positive or negative influences on your psychological wellness?” “Does psychological wellness contribute to your overall sense of wellbeing?” The questionnaire lasted for one to two hours long and was held during regular school hours. Researchers used Braun and Clarke’s 6-step approach as useful framework to analyze data. They report this method was effective because it facilitated their understandings of the world as seen by the adolescents (Spurr, et al, 2013). The conclusion according to Spurr, et al was that this was the beginning evidence to support the theory that the media was an important influence on adolescent body image. This article is very important for my paper in proving that the media has an effect on the body image of adolescents.

Winham, D., & Hampl, J. S. (2008). Adolescents report television characters do not influence their self-perceptions of body image, weight, clothing choices or food habits. Young consumers, 9(2), 121-130. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17473610810879693

This study examines the correlation between factors such as environment, and mental status and how adolescents’ own environment plays a role in the effect of media on body images. Winham & Hampl, (2008) suggest that adolescents that are affected by media modify the messages heard and what messages are sought out. This study is important to include within my paper, in order to create an unbiased research paper.

Tiggemann, M. (2005). Television and adolescent body image: the role of program content and viewing motivation. Journal of social and clinical psychology, 24(3), 361-381. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/224841497?accountid=34899

The research conducted by Tiggemann, (2005) examines the relationship between adolescent boys’ and girls’ television viewing and bod image and the negative effects that are associated with overexposure. 1,452 secondary school students participated in the study answering questions associated with body perception, eating disorders, and uses of television. The results found that both genders were impacted negatively from total exposure; boys wanted to be more muscular, girls wanted to be thinner.

Eisend, M., & Möller, J. (2007). The influence of TV viewing on consumers' body images and related consumption behavior. Marketing letters, 18(1-2), 101-116. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11002-006-9004-8

This study examines the influence of TV viewing with female and male consumer’s body image. The conclusion to this study states that the negative effects of viewing were not found. However on the females the effects were quite profound. This study also indicates that the beauty industry has been benefiting from the increased body dissatisfaction; women are willing to undergo dangerous surgeries to achieve the look that is portrayed on television.

Strasburger, V. C., M.D. (1985). Television and adolescents. Pediatric annals, 14(12), 814-815,818-820. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1023310886?accountid=34899

The article written by Strasburger, (1985) depicts how television has changed over the years. Wholesome television programs no longer exist. Adolescents are exposed to unrealistic programs filled with sexuality, alcohol, and characters that seem to all be thin. Exposure to this type of unrealistic programs can create false realities in life.

Derenne, J. L., & Beresin, E. V. (2006). Body image, media, and eating disorders. Academic psychiatry, 30(3), 257-61. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/196508089?accountid=34899

This article examines images portrayed on television and how young girls model what they view on TV. Derenne and Beresin suggest that parents should monitor what their children are watching and how long they spend in front of the TV.