The Effect of Exposure to Digital Modification Disclaimers and Thin Models on Women’s Body Satisfaction

• In Event: Media, Body Image, and Sexualization

Abstract

In this study we empirically test the effectiveness of public health initiatives aimed at reducing the adverse effects of exposure to thin images in advertising on body image. In addition, we examine self-serving perceptual biases that may also influence woman’s body image. Using an online experiment, we tested effects of two message factors that are expected to influence women’s body image - the model’s body size, and the presence of disclaimers. We found that disclaimers regarding digital modification do have some mitigating effect when they are featured in a large font size. In addition, we found that women with a higher BMI perceived the model as having a larger body size. Moreover, women perceived their body size as close to their ideal body and that of men. We suggest that these perceptions serve to protect woman’s body image.

Authors

• Nurit Talor, U of Haifa

• Nehama Lewis, University of Haifa

• Ayellet Pelled, University of Wisconsin