OPPapers.com Essay Index >> Social Issues >> Impact Of Skinny Models On Eating Disorders And Women'S Purchasing Behaviour
We have many free term papers and essays on Impact Of Skinny Models On Eating Disorders And Women'S Purchasing Behaviour. We also have a wide variety of research papers and book reports available to you for free. You can browse our collection of term papers or use our search engine.
Submitted by miss_tree9 on April 1, 2007
Category: Social Issues
Words: 1227 | Pages: 5
Views: 485
Popularity Rank: 24,146
Average Member Grade: N/A (Add a Comment / Grade this Paper)
The Impact of skinny models on Eating Disorders and Women's Purchasing Behaviour
Literature Review
The literature review focuses on literature regarding the links between the use of skinny models in advertising, the purchase decision, women's feelings of self worth, dissatisfaction with their own body and eating disorders.
Models and the Ideal Body Shape
Research in an article by Fay and Price (entitled "Female Body-shape in Advertisements") found that the body shape of contemporary models in advertisements has reduced since the 1950s. Over the past 15 years the media had represented a very thin body, which was found to be clinically underweight.
They point out that "The particular set of physical characteristics perceived as beautiful and desirable is a social construct that can vary dramatically across cultures and across time within a culture."
In the journal "in pursuit of identity" reference from Gordon 2000 states "the proliferation of photographic and electronic media images of thin and in most cases emaciated looking women has in the last decade been and increasingly powerful factor in promoting contemporary body ideals to the female audience"
Impact on Advertising Effectiveness
Research by Sharron J. Lennon (physical Attractiveness, Age And Body type) recorded sixty college aged students responses to photos of female models who varied in body type and found that the thinner models were seen as more attractive than heavier models.
Dittmar & Howard 2004 cite (Kathle & Holmer, 1985) who found that the physical attractiveness of a model in an advertisement "increases consumer's positive attitude toward the product and their willingness to purchase"
Dittmar & Howard in their journal investigating the impact of model's body size in advertising effectiveness make the point that social comparison theory...
You must Login to view the entire paper.
If you are not a member yet, Sign Up for free!