Self-schema and social comparison explanations of body dissatisfaction: a laboratory investigation.
The current study was an investigation of the self-schema and social comparison theories of body dissatisfaction. The social comparison manipulation consisted of exposure to one of three levels of comparison figure: upward, downward, or no comparison. Two different imagery exercises served to prime either a participants' appearance self-schema, or a non-appearance schema. Participants completed state measures of body image and mood at pre- and posttest. Results indicated no significant interaction between priming and social comparison and no significant main effect for priming. However, there was a significant effect of social comparison, such that those in the downward comparison condition showed an increase in body satisfaction and positive mood. Results are discussed in the context of self-schema theory and social comparison, and suggestions are given for future research that might further shed light on these theoretical approaches for understanding body dissatisfaction.
van den Berg
Patricia
P
University of South Florida, Department of Psychology, Tampa, FL 33620-8200, United States.
Thompson
J Kevin
JK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001504:Beauty; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012649:Self Concept; D012925:Social Conformity; D013240:Stereotyping; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires