Fardouly, J., & Vartanian, L. R. (2016). Social Media and Body Image Concerns: Current Research and Future Directions. Current Opinion in Psychology , 9, 1-5. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.09.005
The paper offers an outline study on social media and its shapes body image perspectives. It incorporates correlational studies continuously highlight that usage of social media is linked to body image fears among the youthful populace. Additional longitudinal studies indicate that this link may be strengthened over time. The authors note that experimental studies point out that "short-lived exposure to one's own Facebook account does not adversely impact young women's appearance concerns" (Fardouly & Vartanian, 2016). The paper in many ways relays the content covered in social psychology in regards to media and how it shapes cognitive development in individuals.
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Jasmine Fardouly and Lenny R. Vartanian are both psychologists. The latter is an expert in the field of health, clinical and counseling psychology at the University of New South Wales. Fardouly, on the other hand, is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Macquarie University specializing in the field of emotional psychology. Through their combined efforts and expertise, they wrote this article with the intent of dissecting the implications of social media on young adults particularly when it comes to their body image. They target a youthful audience that may be keen on understanding the psychological implications of using social media.
The article notes the social media is "associated with body image concerns particularly if the users are engaging in certain kind of activities on social media such as making appearance comparisons to others" (Fardouly & Vartanian, 2016). The authors posit that social media does not affect all young women equally because there exist divergent characteristics such as high appearance comparison tendency where some women may be more vulnerable to the implications of the social media usage. This paper will be fundamental in corroborating the existing evidence on the varied implications associated with different social media platforms. The more image-intense social media platforms such as Instagram have further detrimental effects on the users than others such as Twitter, Reddit, and Facebook.
Kakish, H., Olney, A., & Beccera, M. B. (2018). A Qualitative Analysis of Body Image on Social Media: Implications for Public Health Practice. Open Access Journal of Public Health, 2(11), 1-6.
This article evaluates the use of Instagram as a social media tool to assess the body image perspectives among the youth. The perception can be negative or positive and has been accentuated by the use of social media which has become dominant in the young adult social interactions. The authors carried out a qualitative study to analyze body image photos shared by different fitness models on the platform. It was established that through hashtags Instagram promoted " three emergent themes: expectations or idolization, encouragement, and product promotion."
Kakish, Olney and Beccera are all members of the Department of Health Science and Human Ecology, California State University. Kakish and Beccera are associate professors at the university. Olney, on the other hand, is a lecturer and one of the heads at the Health Science and Human Ecology Department at CSU. They have immense experience in the field of human and social psychology. They are authorities in varied fields, and thus this article is the manifestation of their efforts in dissecting a contemporary social psychology issue.
The article will be fundamental in highlighting how idolization and unrealistic expectations are dominant in the social media space. The authors focus on Instagram a photo-sharing social media platform that many young adults are part of. The article focuses on the use of hashtags and followers affirmation to enhance body image among young adults. However, through commercialization, many individuals are duped on the ideal body image which may affect their mental health and eating patterns. The authors note that "studies have shown that those who are constantly exposed to these idealistic body images in the media are more likely to develop an eating disorder"(Kakish, Olney, & Beccera, 2018).
Van Vonderen, K. E., & Kinnally, W. (2012). Media Effects on Body Image: Examining Media Exposure in the Broader Context of Internal and Other Social Factors. American Communication Journal, 14(2), 41-58.
This research attempts to evaluate the relation between "media use and body satisfaction by juxtaposing the media with the internal factor of self-esteem and other social factors such as peer and parental attitudes." It utilizes a sample of 285 female undergraduates who availed data on comparison with media figures, media exposure, body size, and peer comparisons. The authors single out the ideal body images portrayed in the media and how they have continuously become smaller and hence putting intense pressure on women to achieve such sizes. There are "particular messages associated with body weight in media; media figures are often viewed as the epitome of success and social desirability" (Van Vonderen & Kinnally, 2012).
Van Vonderen and Kinnally are both professionals in the field of media and psychology. Van Vonderen is a communication professional who has varied research interests in media effects. She is a lecturer at the University of Central Florida. William Kinnaly is an assistant professor in the Nicholson School of Communication at the University of Central Florida. Kinnaly is an authority in the areas of media psychology and entertainment theory. With this article, these two authors are keen on engaging students of social psychology and a general audience that is familiar with the social media platforms.
This paper will go a long way in pinpointing the link between body dissatisfaction and media consumption. The authors have utilized "cultivation and social comparison theories” to establish this correlation. It provides a broad context for media consumption. The research paper will draw extensive information in regards to theories and social elements that may aggravate the impact of social media on the body image concerns by many young people.
References
Fardouly, J., & Vartanian, L. R. (2016). Social Media and Body Image Concerns: Current Research and Future Directions. Current Opinion in Psychology , 9, 1-5. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.09.005
Kakish, H., Olney, A., & Beccera, M. B. (2018). A Qualitative Analysis of Body Image on Social Media: Implications for Public Health Practice. Open Access Journal of Public Health, 2(11), 1-6.
Van Vonderen, K. E., & Kinnally, W. (2012). Media Effects on Body Image: Examining Media Exposure in the Broader Context of Internal and Other Social Factors. American Communication Journal, 14(2), 41-58.
