The first two chapters have been devoted to the physical aspect, that is to the visible body that can be evaluated, perceived by an external eye. The intended object (the body of others) could easily be dissociated from the gaze on it (from that of the anthropometrician who grasps the morphology to that of the naive observer who perceives its appearance). This chapter is devoted to the gaze of one's own body, a complex perceptual process where the observer is also observed. We will call "image of the body" the global configuration that forms the set of representations, perceptions, feelings, attitudes that the individual has developed vis-Ã -vis his body during his existence and this through various experiences. This perceived body is frequently referred to standards (standards of beauty,
Similar content is found in other labels: body awareness, body perception, body self, body experience. We do not think it is appropriate to distinguish perception, image and representation, sharing the opinion of Mounoud and Guyon-Vinter (1979): "At all levels of development, the child's perceptions are mediated by representations, which alone give meaning to perceived objects. We will therefore speak indifferently of perception, representation or image of the body (without limiting, of course, this last term to the only "optical" image of its own body) ...
Body image is the perception that a person has of his physical appearance. A person who has a negative body image perceives his body as not being attractive to others while a person who has positive body image sees himself as attractive or at least accepts his body as he is.
Body image is not necessarily linked to objective measures or to the opinion that others may have. A person who has a negative body image can be considered pretty by others while a person with a good body image can be judged not to be attractive to others.
The research, conducted by psychology researcher Gayle Bessenoff, involved 112 college students averaging 18 years of age. Half of these participants had a very negative image of their body, claiming that it was very far from their ideal. The other half had a more positive image, considering that their body was closer to their ideal.
Participants had to view advertisements from magazines such as Glamor and Vogue for a school task unrelated to body image.
Half of the participants received clothing ads that showed very thin models. The other half received advertisements for other products than clothes that did not show female models.
Participants then completed a series of questionnaires that measured the level of depression, agitation, self-esteem and motivation to lose weight.
Participants who saw advertisements showing very thin models scored lower on all of these questionnaires, especially if they had a negative body image.
Women who already have a low opinion of their physical appearance are at greater risk of a negative effect of media images. They are more likely to compare themselves to models, which amplifies their negative feelings about their bodies.
To compare oneself is all the more harmful for them, as media images are not always realistic.
The images of models have often been retouched by image processing software. Features such as wrinkles, blemishes, uneven skin tone, dark circles, misplaced hair, etc. are corrected by computer.
And this, not to mention makeup artists, lighting experts, clothing consultants, personal coaches and other professionals who work with models.
Unless you enjoy all these benefits before looking in the mirror, it is not appropriate to compare yourself to the model images.
In terms of weight, remember that many models have anorexia and stay below a healthy weight.
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