What about men? Social comparison and the effects of media images on body and self-esteem.

Abstract

Research has consistently shown that exposure to ideal female images negatively influences women's self-evaluations (e.g., Brown, Novick, Lord, & Richards, 1992;Henderson-King, Henderson-King, & Hoffman, 2001). However, minimal research has examined the effects of media-portrayed male images on men's self-evaluations. This article presents an exploratory investigation into the impact of media on men's views of themselves and their bodies. It was hypothesized that compared to men who viewed neutral images, men who viewed ideal physical images of other men or images depicting status and wealth would report lower levels of body esteem and self-esteem. Analysis revealed significant group differences on the Physical Condition and Physical Attractiveness subscales of the Body Esteem Scale (BES; Franzoi & Shields, 1984); however, no significant differences in group scores emerged on the State Self-Esteem Scale (SSES;Heatherton & Polivy, 1991). In general, these findings fit with current literature regarding media effects on men. Limitations, applications, and future research considerations are discussed.

Media matters for boys too! The role of specific magazine types and television programs in the drive for thinness and muscularity in adolescent boys

“…In particular, the media are held responsible for the transmission of messages about the ideal body, which for boys and men is a lean but highly muscular, V-shaped figure, often referred to as the 'muscular mesomorph' (Mishkind, Rodin, Silberstein, & StriegelMoore, 1986). Although most of the existing research has investigated women, a few studies have suggested that exposure to idealized muscular media images is similarly related to lower body esteem (Hobza & Rochlen, 2009;Hobza, Walker, Yakushko, & Peugh, 2007), increased muscle dissatisfaction (Agliata & Tantleff-Dunn, 2004;Hargreaves & Tiggemann, 2009) and drive for muscularity in adult men (Cramblitt & Pritchard, 2013). However, two studies with adolescent boys found no relationship between body image or eating disorder symptomatology and magazine exposure (Jones, Vigfusdottir, & Lee, 2004) or thin-ideal media exposure (selected television programs and magazines) (Harrison, 2000).…”

Muscle Dysmorphia and the Perception of Men’s Peer Muscularity Preferences

“…According to this theory, people who perceive themselves as falling short of these expectations then experience distress (Hargreaves & Tiggemann, 2009;Harrison, 2001;Martin & Govender, 2011). The research on men's body image suggests that men's body satisfaction is, in fact, influenced by the internalized body ideals that men use when comparing their appearance with others and that falling short in the comparison may lead to body-related distress (Cahill & Mussap, 2007;Hobza, Walker, Yakushko, & Peugh, 2007;Jones, 2004;Karazsia & Crowther, 2008, 2010L. M. Schaefer & Thompson, 2014).…”

A Body of Dissatisfaction: a Study of the Effects of Media Imperialism in Kuwait

“…Expecting to find that exposure to ideal-muscular body images on television would lead to an increase in body dissatisfaction, the researchers did indeed find that the men's dissatisfaction with their muscle size and physical attractiveness had increased while watching the muscular ideal commercials more than the control group (Hargreaves, Tiggermann 2009). Interestingly, though men's body-esteem is affected by exposure to muscular body types, their self-esteem was not affected (Hobza, Walker, Yakushko, Peugh 2007). However, certain studies says that when men are exposed to ideal image advertisements they become depressed, indicating that more research in the area is needed to reach a consensus on the subject (Agliata, Tantleff-Dunn, 2004).…”

“…However, research has been increasingly focusing on males' body dissatisfaction (Morry, Staska 2001;Agliata, Tantleff-Dunn, 2004;Hobza, Walker, Yakushko, Peugh 2007). Though studies have discovered that both males and females do experience discontent with their body image, they have also given light to the differences in how males and females evaluate their physical appearance.…”

“…The media has shown to be a reinforcing agent for individuals on the ideal body type, as well as a way for individuals to evaluate themselves. When audiences are exposed to thin ideal body images or fat-characters, they are at higher risk of becoming dissatisfied with their bodies (Harrison 2000;Hobza, Walker, Yakushko, Peugh 2007).…”