Picture Yourself Healthy—How Users Select Mediated Images to Shape Health Intentions and Behaviors

Abstract

Hypotheses on how selective viewing of mediated images may sustain eating habits and aid healthier eating were derived from the Selective Exposure Self- and Affect Management model. The model posits that individuals select to view media to manage their self-concepts-and that this exposure affects subsequent intentions and behaviors. Participants (N = 265) selectively viewed Instagram-like postings featuring healthy or unhealthy food imagery. Beforehand, participants reported habits and perceived expert recommendations regarding food intake. After viewing postings, participants chose gift cards representing healthy or unhealthy food purchases and indicated food intake intentions. Results show that existing eating behavior predicts selective exposure to healthy or unhealthy food imagery, which in turn shapes gift card choices and (both healthy and unhealthy) food intake intentions.

The Indirect Effects of Thinspiration and Fitspiration Images on Young Women’s Sexual Attitudes

“…Our study revealed the positive correlation between appearance comparison and sexual initiation assertiveness. The results may occur because appearance comparison is associated with self-improvement: an interest in advancing oneself to decrease the discrepancy between oneself and their ideal(s) (Westerwick et al, 2017; Wilson et al, 2019). Research (Westerwick et al, 2017) suggested that perceived discrepancy between oneself and an ideal behavior is positively related to the person’s attention to information that might help them obtain the ideal.…”

“…Research (Westerwick et al, 2017) suggested that perceived discrepancy between oneself and an ideal behavior is positively related to the person’s attention to information that might help them obtain the ideal. However, Wilson and colleagues (2019) argued that the perceived discrepancy and one’s biases towards information or attitudes associated with the ideal achievement could be negatively correlated. Mixed results across the studies (Westerwick et al, 2017; Wilson et al, 2019) are perhaps because of the use of different experimental stimuli.…”

“…However, Wilson and colleagues (2019) argued that the perceived discrepancy and one’s biases towards information or attitudes associated with the ideal achievement could be negatively correlated. Mixed results across the studies (Westerwick et al, 2017; Wilson et al, 2019) are perhaps because of the use of different experimental stimuli. Applying the concept of self-improvement (Westerwick et al, 2017; Wilson et al, 2019) in our current research context, women’s appearance comparison with inspirational Instagram images may result in motivation to improve the self to be as sexually attractive as the Instagram figures, which are sexually suggestive with the portrayals of “thin” and “scantily dressed” women (Alberga et al, 2018; Ghaznavi & Taylor, 2015).…”

“…Mixed results across the studies (Westerwick et al, 2017; Wilson et al, 2019) are perhaps because of the use of different experimental stimuli. Applying the concept of self-improvement (Westerwick et al, 2017; Wilson et al, 2019) in our current research context, women’s appearance comparison with inspirational Instagram images may result in motivation to improve the self to be as sexually attractive as the Instagram figures, which are sexually suggestive with the portrayals of “thin” and “scantily dressed” women (Alberga et al, 2018; Ghaznavi & Taylor, 2015). In turn, the self-motivation resulted in women’s attention to attitudes that facilitate them to achieve the goal to be or to feel sexually attractive.…”

“…Our findings are in conjunction with Westerwick and colleagues (2017) and extended such into the context of idealized Instagram images and young women’s sexual health. Wilson and colleagues (2019) suggested that perceived discrepancy may be more powerful and lead to attitude changes to achieve the goal when the self-discrepancy results from peer norms relative to expert norms. As inspirational Instagram images feature everyday women who could be perceived as peers, sexual initiation attitudes resulting from appearance comparison with the Instagram figures may lead to sexual initiation assertiveness in the real world.…”