Body Image Distortion and Dissatisfaction in an Ecological Setting
Date
1992
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Haverford College. Department of Psychology
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Thesis
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Award
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eng
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Haverford users only
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Abstract
This study assessed body image dissatisfaction and distortion in a non-clinical, college setting. The first purpose of this study was to improve upon techniques previously used to measure distortion. This was done by using more ecologically valid tasks; by controlling for demand characteristics; and by examining whether production tasks, which were almost always used in past studies, are estimated differently than perception tasks. The second purpose was to determine whether the two components of body image disturbance, dissatisfaction and distortion, are related. Subjects completed two paper and pencil measures of dissatisfaction, and these scores were compared to their distortion scores. Significant distortion occurred in the ecological condition only, where subjects significantly underestimated weight-related body parts. In addition, this distortion was significantly predicted by the extent to which subjects were dissatisfied with their bodies. Finally, perceptual size estimates varied according to whether perception or production tasks were used. These results are discussed in terms of schema theory, and their significance is considered in terms of body image disturbance in women.