Body Image in Mass Media

Body image is how a person perceives their physical self and the thoughts and feelings generated by that perception. These feelings are influenced by an individual’s[Page 185] attitudes toward and beliefs about how they look as well as socially constructed ideals of beauty. This entry first discusses how mass media are thought to contribute to a negative body image and the impact this can have on society and individual well-being. It then looks in turn at print media, screen media, and social media and their idealized representations of women.

Mass media and how they represent people (particularly women) in print, on screen, and online significantly impact on body image and are acknowledged as contributing to body dissatisfaction through the creation of unrealistic cultural definitions of beauty ...