A qualitative study on women's perception and the advertising industry.
While there is a great awareness in the past few years on body image concerns and ideal beauty standards, still there is a false perception of how models are shown in advertisements and the mass media. The data gathered by the interviews identified that body image is strongly affected by the media particularly in women, dissatisfaction on how the media shows unrealistic types of people and a positive reaction on the use of average size models. The results suggested that there is a great consciousness on making the mass media industry to promote healthy body and beauty standards.
Body Image
"Body image is the mental picture people have for their own bodies and is related to effective and perceptual components."
For this research study, 4 women were interview on their thoughts and perception about body image and the advertising industry. Here are displayed a few quotes of their thoughts and how the feel about the mass media.
An insight of what women believe.
All participants agreed that mass media are strongly influencing body image especially with the use of social media. In fact, the older participants were more convicted on the negative effects that advertisements have on young girls.
The perfect life?
"I feel like advertisements are showing only the happy side, the perfect human, the perfect body and something unreal to succeed."
All participants when they asked about average size models in advisement were positively reacted and said that they are more effective, in contrast with the general belief of the advertising industry. Finally, they said they would like to see more “real” people and not unhealthy bodies and they encouraged the industry not to emphasise on thinness.
Future Thoughts
The current results of this study suggested several directions for future research especially on promoting positive body image in advertisements. The old-fashioned stereotype of a thin model is starting to fade away and there is a lot more space for body image resilience and fewer barriers. However, the governments need to give the call on advertising industries to become more aware of what kind of images they choose to promote to the world.
For getting access to the full results of the study, please contact me.