What is it about?
An experiment examined the influence of Instagram posts (i.e., idealized, body-positive, nature images) on males’ and females’ body image. Our results suggest that males and females are affected by idealized (thin ideal, muscular ideal) posts on Instagram, especially when the images are made more salient by asking participants about their satisfaction with their specific body parts. However, while females’ body image may benefit more from viewing body-positive images than idealized or nature images, males seem to benefit from viewing non-idealized images (either body-positive or nature images).
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Why is it important?
Our results suggest that males and females are differentially affected by the images they see on Instagram. College students with body image issues may wish to think about their social media habits, specifically Instagram, and view fewer idealized images.
Perspectives
So many of my students struggle with body image issues. I hope they will see how much it affects them and make informed decisions about their social media use.
Dr. Mary E Pritchard
Boise State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: #Instabod versus #BoPo: An experimental study of the effects of viewing idealized versus body-positive content on collegiate males’ and females’ body satisfaction., Psychology of Popular Media, April 2023, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/ppm0000454.
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