Body Image: Media Influence and Societal Effects PDF

## BODY IMAGE **LEARNING OBJECTIVES** * Explain the difference between body image and the ideal body. * Discuss the relationship between media and body image. **How We Feel About Our Bodies** Body image refers to the mental images, attitudes, and feelings we form of our own bodies. In terms of it...

## BODY IMAGE **LEARNING OBJECTIVES** * Explain the difference between body image and the ideal body. * Discuss the relationship between media and body image. **How We Feel About Our Bodies** Body image refers to the mental images, attitudes, and feelings we form of our own bodies. In terms of its weight, shape, height, and muscularity, people can either be satisfied or dissatisfied with their bodies. Unfortunately, dissatisfaction with one's body starts at an early age, as 55 percent of 8- to 10-year-old girls and 35 percent of same-aged boys are dissatisfied with their bodies. And as youth progress from middle childhood into adolescence, body satisfaction continues its downward trend. By age 17, nearly 80 percent of American girls are unhappy with their bodies. Although body dissatisfaction becomes less important during adulthood, it nonetheless remains relatively stable across the lifespan, a surprising finding in that we might expect it to increase with age. As people grow older, they tend to gain weight, develop wrinkles, and report changes in their hair color and thickness-all of which might actually increase body dissatisfaction. It may be that, as we age, our expectations for what makes an "age-appropriate body" also changes. Thus, it is the perceived shape of our bodies, relative to same-aged individuals, that primarily influences how we view and accept ourselves. For example, when thinking about the beauty of their bodies, 50-year olds will most likely compare themselves against other 50-year olds and not against 20-year olds. **Media and Body Image** **MEDIA PORTRAYALS OF THE BODY** * Every society throughout history has had somewhat different ideals of beauty. During the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries, artists such as Rubens, Renoir, and Raphael painted women as being plump and curvy. Marilyn Monroe's size 14 physique represented bodily perfection during the 1950s, and a decade later, the model Twiggy and her ultra-thin appearance were considered ideal. Today, a beautiful body can take many shapes: waif, curvy, or athletic. In fact, for many women, the combination of being curvaceous and thin (with small waist and hips, and a medium-sized bust) is the ideal. But there is one thing that contemporary "ideal" body shapes have in common: they are definitely not Rubenesque. * For both men and women, magazine covers, TV ads, and films bombard us with images that reflect the standard, but often unattainable ideal, of a beautiful and fit body. Magazines tell readers that slim bodies are "well-managed" bodies, reflective of people who are in control of their lives. Readers are also told to how reduce "nasties": areas of fat deposit. Moreover, 15 percent of magazine headlines viewed by young women (e.g., Seventeen, Teen Vogue) focus on diet and body image. Incidentally, online versions of teen magazines provide the following messages: 1. a girl's body can easily "get out of control"; 2. every body part should be perfect; 3. beauty requires physical perfection; and 4. girls' are not OK as they are. * Over the last three decades, depictions of male bodies have not only become leaner, but also more muscular. Men's magazines promote six-pack abs, perfect pectorals, bulging biceps, and low body fat as representative of the ideal male body. Healthy bodies limited in muscularity are rarely shown. The primary message in men's magazines is that achieving a lean, muscular physical appearance is of the upmost importance. * Even dolls present to the world body types that are beyond the reach of many. Consider the following as examples of this: For nearly four decades, Mattel's Barbie (if she were real) was estimated to weigh 110 pounds, with measurements of 39-18-33. Like many celebrities of the 1990s, Barbie's body was reshaped and she now sports measurements of 33-17-30. If alive, GI Joe's 5' 10" hyper-muscular body would have an 85-inch chest, 34-inch neck, and 65-inch waist. These numbers nearly double those of the average male physique. Over the last 25 years, action figures, in general, have become leaner and more muscular with the arms, chests, necks, forearms, thighs, and calves increasing in size by 50 to 60 percent. **EFFECTS OF MEDIA ON FEMALE BODY IMAGE** * Because our society places so much emphasis on physical appearance, it is not surprising that media plays an especially important role in influencing how we feel about our bodies. For girls of all ages, the consumption of content in beauty and fashion magazines, television shows, and movies increases the desire to be thin. For instance, after watching a music video featuring Britney Spears, 10-year-old girls become dissatisfied with their bodies. Interestingly, television exposure in prepubescent girls also predicts a desire to be thin in the future, after they "grow up". In addition, across adolescence and young adulthood, greater exposure to mainstream television programming and fashion magazine is associated with poorer body image. However, when women of color watch television shows with primarily minority casts, greater body satisfaction (rather than dissatisfaction) is actually seen. Why is this so? The answer may lie in the body types of the actors being watched. Shows with predominantly African-American casts tend to present a wider range of female body types than shows with primarily White characters. Taken together, these findings suggest that media has the potential to both help and hurt body image, depending on the body types being viewed. What types of bodies are portrayed in the media you consume? **EFFECTS OF MEDIA ON MALE BODY IMAGE** * Men are affected by media portrayals, too, although the idealized body for men is muscular (V-shaped with large torso and smaller hips) rather than thin. However, body dissatisfaction in men is not as strong as it is in women; a finding that may result from the current societal double standard whereby women are more likely to be judged by their beauty than men. **THE OBESITY STIGMA** * It is also worth noting that overweight people are often portrayed in the media as being selfish, lazy, stupid, ugly, sloppy, and unlikable. Consider Dudley Dursley, from the Harry Potter series, and Augustus Gloop, from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, as examples of this. Both are obese, both are gluttons, and both disregard warnings from adults regarding inappropriate behavior. In addition, the obesity stigma, which refers to the negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discriminatory behavior directed at overweight individuals, exerts a powerful, and negative, influence on our body image. Mean teasing by others, especially when done by parents, peers, and teachers, makes us feel bad about our bodies. It is not surprising then, that individuals who don't fit the ideal body tend to have negative feelings about themselves, making it difficult for them to accept themselves as they are and perhaps, in combination with other factors, develop an eating disorder. **Our Ideal Body ** Satisfaction with our bodies is greatly influenced by our image of the ideal body, that is, the body we would like to have. Overall, the closer to the ideal body we are, the less pressure we feel to change. On the other hand, those who are obviously different may feel more pressure to change or hide the disliked parts of their bodies, just as Amanda did in her baggy clothes. We also tend to view our bodies more negatively the further they are away from the ideal. Moreover, our ideal body is greatly influenced by the particular body ideals prevalent in our culture. For example, in Jamaican society, plumpness is desirable, so although foreign media are available, the desire for plumpness is strong enough to counteract foreign preoccupation with thinness. Nevertheless, a constant bombardment of thin images in the media can take its toll on one's body image. In one of the most intriguing studies conducted on body image to date, researchers investigated the influence of the introduction of television in Fiji on adolescent girls' body image. Researchers found that in comparison to girls who had less than one month of exposure to television, teenage girls with three years of television exposure showed dramatic increases in dieting and self-induced vomiting. Of note, prior to the introduction of television, these behaviors were virtually unheard of among Fijian girls. * If you are female, close your eyes and imagine the perfect female body as a man would see it. If you are male, what type of male body do you think your female counterparts prefer? Compare your answers with those of two friends, one female and one male. Did the answers vary by gender? According to research, they should. Perceptions of what the opposite sex finds ideal or attractive differ substantially from what the opposite sex actually finds attractive. This is especially true for women's perceptions of what men want. Women believe that men prefer thin or bony body types, but in actuality, men do not prefer such physical characteristics. Interestingly, men tend to be more in tune with what women find attractive in a man's physique. ## HEALTH AND THE MIND-BODY RELATIONSHIP **LEARNING OBJECTIVES** * List the four major areas connecting health and the mind-body relationship. * Discuss the major health hazards: obesity, smoking, and substance use. Today, physicians and mental health professionals pay greater attention to the mutual interactions of the mind and body than they did in the past. Thus, to understand health and illness we must consider how biological, psychological, and social factors interact. **The Immune System** The immune system is a complex surveillance system, including the brain and various blood cells, that defends our bodies by identifying and destroying various foreign invaders. In emphasizing the link between psychological factors and physical illness, it is important to note that psychological factors do not appear to cause illness directly. Rather, such factors seem to weaken the immune system, thereby making us more vulnerable to illness. How does this happen? First, in times of stress, psychological processes (e.g., depression) can prevent us from taking positive health-related measures, such as eating well. Moreover, in an attempt to cope with life's difficulties, many people make lifestyle choices that can negatively impact the immune system, such as excessive use of alcohol and drugs. Finally, in stressful situations the body's immune system functions less well. For instance, stress lowers the body's resistance to a variety of physical ailments ranging from herpes viruses to upper respiratory infections. **Personality** There is increasing evidence suggesting that we can bolster our resistance to stress and illness by harnessing the powers of the mind our thoughts, attitudes, and emotions. Psychologists recognize the importance of five traits in their descriptions of individuals' personalities: openness to experience, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extroversion, and emotional stability. **Our Ideal Body** Satisfaction with our bodies is greatly influenced by our image of the ideal body, that is, the body we would like to have. Overall, the closer to the ideal body we are, the less pressure we feel to change. On the other hand, those who are obviously different may feel more pressure to change or hide the disliked parts of their bodies, just as Amanda did in her baggy clothes. We also tend to view our bodies more negatively the further they are away from the ideal. Moreover, our ideal body is greatly influenced by the particular body ideals prevalent in our culture. For example, in Jamaican society, plumpness is desirable, so although foreign media are available, the desire for plumpness is strong enough to counteract foreign preoccupation with thinness. Nevertheless, a constant bombardment of thin images in the media can take its toll on one's body image. In one of the most intriguing studies conducted on body image to date, researchers investigated the influence of the introduction of television in Fiji on adolescent girls' body image. Researchers found that in comparison to girls who had less than one month of exposure to television, teenage girls with three years of television exposure showed dramatic increases in dieting and self-induced vomiting. Of note, prior to the introduction of television, these behaviors were virtually unheard of among Fijian girls. If you are female, close your eyes and imagine the perfect female body as a man would see it. If you are male, what type of male body do you think your female counterparts prefer? Compare your answers with those of two friends, one female and one male. Did the answers vary by gender? According to research, they should. Perceptions of what the opposite sex finds ideal or attractive differ substantially from what the opposite sex actually finds attractive. This is especially true for women's perceptions of what men want. Women believe that men prefer thin or bony body types, but in actuality, men do not prefer such physical characteristics. Interestingly, men tend to be more in tune with what women find attractive in a man's physique. ## HEALTH AND THE MIND-BODY RELATIONSHIP **LEARNING OBJECTIVES** * List the four major areas connecting health and the mind-body relationship. * Discuss the major health hazards: obesity, smoking, and substance use. Today, physicians and mental health professionals pay greater attention to the mutual interactions of the mind and body than they did in the past. Thus, to understand health and illness we must consider how biological, psychological, and social factors interact. **The Immune System** The immune system is a complex surveillance system, including the brain and various blood cells, that defends our bodies by identifying and destroying various foreign invaders. In emphasizing the link between psychological factors and physical illness, it is important to note that psychological factors do not appear to cause illness directly. Rather, such factors seem to weaken the immune system, thereby making us more vulnerable to illness. How does this happen? First, in times of stress, psychological processes (e.g., depression) can prevent us from taking positive health-related measures, such as eating well. Moreover, in an attempt to cope with life's difficulties, many people make lifestyle choices that can negatively impact the immune system, such as excessive use of alcohol and drugs. Finally, in stressful situations the body's immune system functions less well. For instance, stress lowers the body's resistance to a variety of physical ailments ranging from herpes viruses to upper respiratory infections. **Personality** There is increasing evidence suggesting that we can bolster our resistance to stress and illness by harnessing the powers of the mind our thoughts, attitudes, and emotions. Psychologists recognize the importance of five traits in their descriptions of individuals' personalities: openness to experience, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extroversion, and emotional stability. **Our Ideal Body** Satisfaction with our bodies is greatly influenced by our image of the ideal body, that is, the body we would like to have. Overall, the closer to the ideal body we are, the less pressure we feel to change. On the other hand, those who are obviously different may feel more pressure to change or hide the disliked parts of their bodies, just as Amanda did in her baggy clothes. We also tend to view our bodies more negatively the further they are away from the ideal. Moreover, our ideal body is greatly influenced by the particular body ideals prevalent in our culture. For example, in Jamaican society, plumpness is desirable, so although foreign media are available, the desire for plumpness is strong enough to counteract foreign preoccupation with thinness. Nevertheless, a constant bombardment of thin images in the media can take its toll on one's body image. In one of the most intriguing studies conducted on body image to date, researchers investigated the influence of the introduction of television in Fiji on adolescent girls' body image. Researchers found that in comparison to girls who had less than one month of exposure to television, teenage girls with three years of television exposure showed dramatic increases in dieting and self-induced vomiting. Of note, prior to the introduction of television, these behaviors were virtually unheard of among Fijian girls. If you are female, close your eyes and imagine the perfect female body as a man would see it. If you are male, what type of male body do you think your female counterparts prefer? Compare your answers with those of two friends, one female and one male. Did the answers vary by gender? According to research, they should. Perceptions of what the opposite sex finds ideal or attractive differ substantially from what the opposite sex actually finds attractive. This is especially true for women's perceptions of what men want. Women believe that men prefer thin or bony body types, but in actuality, men do not prefer such physical characteristics. Interestingly, men tend to be more in tune with what women find attractive in a man's physique. ## HEALTH AND THE MIND-BODY RELATIONSHIP **LEARNING OBJECTIVES** * List the four major areas connecting health and the mind-body relationship. * Discuss the major health hazards: obesity, smoking, and substance use. Today, physicians and mental health professionals pay greater attention to the mutual interactions of the mind and body than they did in the past. Thus, to understand health and illness we must consider how biological, psychological, and social factors interact. **The Immune System** The immune system is a complex surveillance system, including the brain and various blood cells, that defends our bodies by identifying and destroying various foreign invaders. In emphasizing the link between psychological factors and physical illness, it is important to note that psychological factors do not appear to cause illness directly. Rather, such factors seem to weaken the immune system, thereby making us more vulnerable to illness. How does this happen? First, in times of stress, psychological processes (e.g., depression) can prevent us from taking positive health-related measures, such as eating well. Moreover, in an attempt to cope with life's difficulties, many people make lifestyle choices that can negatively impact the immune system, such as excessive use of alcohol and drugs. Finally, in stressful situations the body's immune system functions less well. For instance, stress lowers the body's resistance to a variety of physical ailments ranging from herpes viruses to upper respiratory infections. **Personality** There is increasing evidence suggesting that we can bolster our resistance to stress and illness by harnessing the powers of the mind our thoughts, attitudes, and emotions. Psychologists recognize the importance of five traits in their descriptions of individuals' personalities: openness to experience, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extroversion, and emotional stability. **Our Ideal Body** Satisfaction with our bodies is greatly influenced by our image of the ideal body, that is, the body we would like to have. Overall, the closer to the ideal body we are, the less pressure we feel to change. On the other hand, those who are obviously different may feel more pressure to change or hide the disliked parts of their bodies, just as Amanda did in her baggy clothes. We also tend to view our bodies more negatively the further they are away from the ideal. Moreover, our ideal body is greatly influenced by the particular body ideals prevalent in our culture. For example, in Jamaican society, plumpness is desirable, so although foreign media are available, the desire for plumpness is strong enough to counteract foreign preoccupation with thinness. Nevertheless, a constant bombardment of thin images in the media can take its toll on one's body image. In one of the most intriguing studies conducted on body image to date, researchers investigated the influence of the introduction of television in Fiji on adolescent girls' body image. Researchers found that in comparison to girls who had less than one month of exposure to television, teenage girls with three years of television exposure showed dramatic increases in dieting and self-induced vomiting. Of note, prior to the introduction of television, these behaviors were virtually unheard of among Fijian girls. If you are female, close your eyes and imagine the perfect female body as a man would see it. If you are male, what type of male body do you think your female counterparts prefer? Compare your answers with those of two friends, one female and one male. Did the answers vary by gender? According to research, they should. Perceptions of what the opposite sex finds ideal or attractive differ substantially from what the opposite sex actually finds attractive. This is especially true for women's perceptions of what men want. Women believe that men prefer thin or bony body types, but in actuality, men do not prefer such physical characteristics. Interestingly, men tend to be more in tune with what women find attractive in a man's physique. ## HEALTH AND THE MIND-BODY RELATIONSHIP **LEARNING OBJECTIVES** * List the four major areas connecting health and the mind-body relationship. * Discuss the major health hazards: obesity, smoking, and substance use. Today, physicians and mental health professionals pay greater attention to the mutual interactions of the mind and body than they did in the past. Thus, to understand health and illness we must consider how biological, psychological, and social factors interact. **The Immune System** The immune system is a complex surveillance system, including the brain and various blood cells, that defends our bodies by identifying and destroying various foreign invaders. In emphasizing the link between psychological factors and physical illness, it is important to note that psychological factors do not appear to cause illness directly. Rather, such factors seem to weaken the immune system, thereby making us more vulnerable to illness. How does this happen? First, in times of stress, psychological processes (e.g., depression) can prevent us from taking positive health-related measures, such as eating well. Moreover, in an attempt to cope with life's difficulties, many people make lifestyle choices that can negatively impact the immune system, such as excessive use of alcohol and drugs. Finally, in stressful situations the body's immune system functions less well. For instance, stress lowers the body's resistance to a variety of physical ailments ranging from herpes viruses to upper respiratory infections. **Personality** There is increasing evidence suggesting that we can bolster our resistance to stress and illness by harnessing the powers of the mind our thoughts, attitudes, and emotions. Psychologists recognize the importance of five traits in their descriptions of individuals' personalities: openness to experience, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extroversion, and emotional stability. **Our Ideal Body** Satisfaction with our bodies is greatly influenced by our image of the ideal body, that is, the body we would like to have. Overall, the closer to the ideal body we are, the less pressure we feel to change. On the other hand, those who are obviously different may feel more pressure to change or hide the disliked parts of their bodies, just as Amanda did in her baggy clothes. We also tend to view our bodies more negatively the further they are away from the ideal. Moreover, our ideal body is greatly influenced by the particular body ideals prevalent in our culture. For example, in Jamaican society, plumpness is desirable, so although foreign media are available, the desire for plumpness is strong enough to counteract foreign preoccupation with thinness. Nevertheless, a constant bombardment of thin images in the media can take its toll on one's body image. In one of the most intriguing studies conducted on body image to date, researchers investigated the influence of the introduction of television in Fiji on adolescent girls' body image. Researchers found that in comparison to girls who had less than one month of exposure to television, teenage girls with three years of television exposure showed dramatic increases in dieting and self-induced vomiting. Of note, prior to the introduction of television, these behaviors were virtually unheard of among Fijian girls. If you are female, close your eyes and imagine the perfect female body as a man would see it. If you are male, what type of male body do you think your female counterparts prefer? Compare your answers with those of two friends, one female and one male. Did the answers vary by gender? According to research, they should. Perceptions of what the opposite sex finds ideal or attractive differ substantially from what the opposite sex actually finds attractive. This is especially true for women's perceptions of what men want. Women believe that men prefer thin or bony body types, but in actuality, men do not prefer such physical characteristics. Interestingly, men tend to be more in tune with what women find attractive in a man's physique. ## HEALTH AND THE MIND-BODY RELATIONSHIP **LEARNING OBJECTIVES** * List the four major areas connecting health and the mind-body relationship. * Discuss the major health hazards: obesity, smoking, and substance use. Today, physicians and mental health professionals pay greater attention to the mutual interactions of the mind and body than they did in the past. Thus, to understand health and illness we must consider how biological, psychological, and social factors interact. **The Immune System** The immune system is a complex surveillance system, including the brain and various blood cells, that defends our bodies by identifying and destroying various foreign invaders. In emphasizing the link between psychological factors and physical illness, it is important to note that psychological factors do not appear to cause illness directly. Rather, such factors seem to weaken the immune system, thereby making us more vulnerable to illness. How does this happen? First, in times of stress, psychological processes (e.g., depression) can prevent us from taking positive health-related measures, such as eating well. Moreover, in an attempt to cope with life's difficulties, many people make lifestyle choices that can negatively impact the immune system, such as excessive use of alcohol and drugs. Finally, in stressful situations the body's immune system functions less well. For instance, stress lowers the body's resistance to a variety of physical ailments ranging from herpes viruses to upper respiratory infections. **Personality** There is increasing evidence suggesting that we can bolster our resistance to stress and illness by harnessing the powers of the mind our thoughts, attitudes, and emotions. Psychologists recognize the importance of five traits in their descriptions of individuals' personalities: openness to experience, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extroversion, and emotional stability. **Our Ideal Body** Satisfaction with our bodies is greatly influenced by our image of the ideal body, that is, the body we would like to have. Overall, the closer to the ideal body we are, the less pressure we feel to change. On the other hand, those who are obviously different may feel more pressure to change or hide the disliked parts of their bodies, just as Amanda did in her baggy clothes. We also tend to view our bodies more negatively the further they are away from the ideal. Moreover, our ideal body is greatly influenced by the particular body ideals prevalent in our culture. For example, in Jamaican society, plumpness is desirable, so although foreign media are available, the desire for plumpness is strong enough to counteract foreign preoccupation with thinness. Nevertheless, a constant bombardment of thin images in the media can take its toll on one's body image. In one of the most intriguing studies conducted on body image to date, researchers investigated the influence of the introduction of television in Fiji on adolescent girls' body image. Researchers found that in comparison to girls who had less than one month of exposure to television, teenage girls with three years of television exposure showed dramatic increases in dieting and self-induced vomiting. Of note, prior to the introduction of television, these behaviors were virtually unheard of among Fijian girls. If you are female, close your eyes and imagine the perfect female body as a man would see it. If you are male, what type of male body do you think your female counterparts prefer? Compare your answers with those of two friends, one female and one male. Did the answers vary by gender? According to research, they should. Perceptions of what the opposite sex finds ideal or attractive differ substantially from what the opposite sex actually finds attractive. This is especially true for women's perceptions of what men want. Women believe that men prefer thin or bony body types, but in actuality, men do not prefer such physical characteristics. Interestingly, men tend to be more in tune with what women find attractive in a man's physique. ## HEALTH AND THE MIND-BODY RELATIONSHIP **LEARNING OBJECTIVES** * List the four major areas connecting health and the mind-body relationship. * Discuss the major health hazards: obesity, smoking, and substance use. Today, physicians and mental health professionals pay greater attention to the mutual interactions of the mind and body than they did in the past. Thus, to understand health and illness we must consider how biological, psychological, and social factors interact. **The Immune System** The immune system is a complex surveillance system, including the brain and various blood cells, that defends our bodies by identifying and destroying various foreign invaders. In emphasizing the link between psychological factors and physical illness, it is important to note that psychological factors do not appear to cause illness directly. Rather, such factors seem to weaken the immune system, thereby making us more vulnerable to illness. How does this happen? First, in times of stress, psychological processes (e.g., depression) can prevent us from taking positive health-related measures, such as eating well. Moreover, in an attempt to cope with life's difficulties, many people make lifestyle choices that can negatively impact the immune system, such as excessive use of alcohol and drugs. Finally, in stressful situations the body's immune system functions less well. For instance, stress lowers the body's resistance to a variety of physical ailments ranging from herpes viruses to upper respiratory infections. **Personality** There is increasing evidence suggesting that we can bolster our resistance to stress and illness by harnessing the powers of the mind our thoughts, attitudes, and emotions. Psychologists recognize the importance of five traits in their descriptions of individuals' personalities: openness to experience, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extroversion, and emotional stability. **Our Ideal Body** Satisfaction with our bodies is greatly influenced by our image of the ideal body, that is, the body we would like to have. Overall, the closer to the ideal body we are, the less pressure we feel to change. On the other hand, those who are obviously different may feel more pressure to change or hide the disliked parts of their bodies, just as Amanda did in her baggy clothes. We also tend to view our bodies more negatively the further they are away from the ideal. Moreover, our ideal body is greatly influenced by the particular body ideals prevalent in our culture. For example, in Jamaican society, plumpness is desirable, so although foreign media are available, the desire for plumpness is strong enough to counteract foreign preoccupation with thinness. Nevertheless, a constant bombardment of thin images in the media can take its toll on one's body image. In one of the most intriguing studies conducted on body image to date, researchers investigated the influence of the introduction of television in Fiji on adolescent girls' body image. Researchers found that in comparison to girls who had less than one month of exposure to television, teenage girls with three years of television exposure showed dramatic increases in dieting and self-induced vomiting. Of note, prior to the introduction of television, these behaviors were virtually unheard of among Fijian girls. If you are female, close your eyes and imagine the perfect female body as a man would see it. If you are male, what type of male body do you think your female counterparts prefer? Compare your answers with those of two friends, one female and one male. Did the answers vary by gender? According to research, they should. Perceptions of what the opposite sex finds ideal or attractive differ substantially from what the opposite sex actually finds attractive. This is especially true for women's perceptions of what men want. Women believe that men prefer thin or bony body types, but in actuality, men do not prefer such physical characteristics. Interestingly, men tend to be more in tune with what women find attractive in a man's physique. ## HEALTH AND THE MIND-BODY RELATIONSHIP **LEARNING OBJECTIVES** * List the four major areas connecting health and the mind-body relationship. * Discuss the major health hazards: obesity, smoking, and substance use. Today, physicians and mental health professionals pay greater attention to the mutual interactions of the mind and body than they did in the past. Thus, to understand health and illness we must consider how biological, psychological, and social factors interact. **The Immune System** The immune system is a complex surveillance system, including the brain and various blood cells, that defends our bodies by identifying and destroying various foreign invaders. In emphasizing the link between psychological factors and physical illness, it is important to note that psychological factors do not appear to cause illness directly. Rather, such factors seem to weaken the immune system, thereby making us more vulnerable to illness. How does this happen? First, in times of stress, psychological processes (e.g., depression) can prevent us from taking positive health-related measures, such as eating well. Moreover, in an attempt to cope with life's difficulties, many people make lifestyle choices that can negatively impact the immune system, such as excessive use of alcohol and drugs. Finally, in stressful situations the body's immune system functions less well. For instance, stress lowers the body's resistance to a variety of physical ailments ranging from herpes viruses to upper respiratory infections. **Personality** There is increasing evidence suggesting that we can bolster our resistance to stress and illness by harnessing the powers of the mind our thoughts, attitudes, and emotions. Psychologists recognize the importance of five traits in their descriptions of individuals' personalities: openness to experience, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extroversion, and emotional stability. **Our Ideal Body** Satisfaction with our bodies is greatly influenced by our image of the ideal body, that is, the body we would like to have. Overall, the closer to the ideal body we are, the less pressure we feel to change. On the other hand, those who are obviously different may feel more pressure to change or hide the disliked parts of their bodies, just as Amanda did in her baggy clothes. We also tend to view our bodies more negatively the further they are away from the ideal. Moreover, our ideal body is greatly influenced by the particular body ideals prevalent in our culture. For example, in Jamaican society, plumpness is desirable, so although foreign media are available, the desire for plumpness is strong enough to counteract foreign preoccupation with thinness. Nevertheless, a constant bombardment of thin images in the media can take its toll on one's body image. In one of the most intriguing studies conducted on body image to date, researchers investigated the influence of the introduction of television in Fiji on adolescent girls' body image. Researchers found that in comparison to girls who had less than one month of exposure to television, teenage girls with three years of television exposure showed dramatic increases in dieting and self-induced vomiting. Of note, prior to the introduction of television, these behaviors were virtually unheard of among Fijian girls. If you are female, close your eyes and imagine the perfect female body as a man would see it. If you are male, what type of male body do you think your female counterparts prefer? Compare your answers with those of two friends, one female and one male. Did the answers vary by gender? According to research, they should. Perceptions of what the opposite sex finds ideal or attractive differ substantially from what the opposite sex actually finds attractive. This is especially true for women's perceptions of what men want. Women believe that men prefer thin or bony body types, but in actuality, men do not prefer such physical characteristics. Interestingly, men tend to be more in tune with what women find attractive in a man's physique. ## HEALTH AND THE MIND-BODY RELATIONSHIP **LEARNING OBJECTIVES** * List the four major areas connecting health and the mind-body relationship. * Discuss the major health hazards: obesity, smoking, and substance use. Today, physicians and mental health professionals pay greater attention to the mutual interactions of the mind and body than they did in the past. Thus, to understand health and illness we must consider how biological, psychological, and social factors interact. **The Immune System** The immune system is a complex surveillance system, including the brain and various blood cells, that defends our bodies by identifying and destroying various foreign invaders. In emphasizing the link between psychological factors and physical illness, it is important to note that psychological factors do not appear to cause illness directly. Rather, such factors seem to weaken the immune system, thereby making us more vulnerable to illness. How does this happen? First, in times of stress, psychological processes (e.g., depression) can prevent us from taking positive health-related measures, such as eating well. Moreover, in an attempt to cope with life's difficulties, many people make lifestyle choices that can negatively impact the immune system, such as excessive use of alcohol and drugs. Finally, in stressful situations the body's immune system functions less well. For instance, stress lowers the body's resistance to a variety of physical ailments ranging from herpes viruses to upper respiratory infections. **Personality** There is increasing evidence suggesting that we can bolster our resistance to stress and illness by harnessing the powers of the mind our thoughts, attitudes, and emotions. Psychologists recognize the importance of five traits in their descriptions of individuals' personalities: openness to experience, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extroversion, and emotional stability. **Our Ideal Body** Satisfaction with our bodies is greatly influenced by our image of the ideal body, that is, the body we would like to have. Overall, the closer to the ideal body we are, the less pressure we feel to change. On the other hand, those who are obviously different may feel more pressure to change or hide the disliked parts of their bodies, just as Amanda did in her baggy clothes. We also tend to view our bodies more negatively the further they are away from the ideal. Moreover, our ideal body is greatly influenced by the particular body ideals prevalent in our culture. For example, in Jamaican society, plumpness is desirable, so although foreign media are available, the desire for plumpness is strong enough to counteract foreign preoccupation with thinness. Nevertheless, a constant bombardment of thin images in the media can take its toll on one's body image. In one of the most intriguing studies conducted on body image to date, researchers investigated the influence of the introduction of television in Fiji on adolescent girls' body image. Researchers found that in comparison to girls who had less than one month of exposure to television, teenage girls with three years of television exposure showed dramatic increases in dieting and self-induced vomiting. Of note, prior to the introduction of television, these behaviors were virtually unheard of among Fijian girls. If you are female, close your eyes and imagine the perfect female body as a man would see it. If you are male, what type of male body do you think your female counterparts prefer? Compare your answers with those of two friends, one female and one male. Did the answers vary by gender? According to research, they should. Perceptions of what the opposite sex finds ideal or attractive differ substantially from what the opposite sex actually finds attractive. This is especially true for women's perceptions of what men want. Women believe that men prefer thin or bony body types, but in actuality, men do not prefer such physical characteristics. Interestingly, men tend to be more in tune with what women find attractive in a man's physique. ## HEALTH AND THE MIND-BODY RELATIONSHIP **LEARNING OBJECTIVES** * List the four major areas connecting health and the