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Example 2 of Thesis The Media and Body Image
Example 2 of Thesis The Media and Body Image
Abstract
This research examined the media and how it affects fitness and body image.
This was assessed by collecting data from surveys taken by three groups of ten
high school students, five of each sex. Two of the three groups were exposed to
the other depicted athletic figures, while the third group was exposed to no
prior data. The results indicate the students attitudes towards social fitness
media and the fitness concept will be found but the idea of a personal body
image will remain fixed as body image is a determined part of one's psyche. A
significant correlation was discovered between those who viewed the thin package
and their attitudes on social fitness. However a low score in the self-
acceptance scale in all three groups suggests a low self-concept within all
between the fitness concept and the media packages as well as a constant self-
In assessing personal attitudes it is often important to measure not only what
issues. It has been found that opposing views may be held simultaneously by
response will reflect upon his/herself may negate an individual expressing his
or her true attitudes. This research sought to assess the attitudes of high
school students towards fitness and body image in the presence of different
person scale and a personal scale, true attitudes can be assumed. In this study,
the different groups were the independent variable, here in described as Group A,
those exposed to the thin images, Group B, those exposed to athletic images, and
Group C, those exposed to no images or the control group, whereas the groups
score was the dependent variable. The surveys were distributed to thirty
students, ten in each group, five of each sex. The dependent variable, in the
fitness in society and in a dating atmosphere. The higher the individuals score
the more they are influenced by society, with a score of 46 being the accepted
indication of society influence. In the Self Acceptance Scale, the lower the
individuals score the lower their self concept with scores between 36-110
indicating low self acceptance, 111-150 average self acceptance, and 151-
indicating high self acceptance. Throughout the use of both a general survey
and a specific survey, true attitudes of students towards fitness and body
Methods
Participants
Participants of this study were students of F.J. Brennan High School.
For the purposes of this study, 30 participants were randomly chosen, creating 3
groups of 10 with 5 members of each sex. Consent was obtained from the
Measures
The study employed the use of 2 surveys and 1 sheet of non identifying
information. The first survey, Social Fitness Attitudes Scale, was used to
The second survey, Self Acceptance Scale, was used to illustrate the
Procedure
any time during the survey. Once the testing was complete each participant was
debriefed as to what the data would be used for and what each survey would
reflect. With the surveys scored using their assigned keys computer analysis
Results
Each survey was scored with its assigned scoring key, as depicted in
Psychology for Living. The scores revealed by both Groups A and B show
t (18) = -1.732, p > 0.05, with Group A scoring 50 and Group B scoring a 47 out
of a possible 54 with 46 and higher being the accepted values of those strongly
affected by the media. Group C scored 45, slightly under the value of those
affected strongly by the media. This shows that it is not uncommon for students
6.062, p > 0.05, Groups A and C scored below 110, respectively 109 and 102, this
t (18) = -11.258, p > 0.05, showed a score of 115, a low but average score (111-
acceptance in others.
Discussion
Overall the results indicated a correlation between the images of thin
media icons and poor fitness attitudes, and a minor relationship between
depicted athletic images and poor fitness attitudes as well. It was also found
that in general there is a strong influence of the media upon the average
student. In terms of self-acceptance, all three groups scored in the lower end
status.
In general, these results can be accounted for in terms of age and the
maturing process. During adolescence and particularly during high school, the
individual is forming their own permanent self-concept which includes one's body
image. Therefore the control groups high score within the Social Fitness
interpretations. This does not, however, dispute the fact that the score for
those exposed to media packages was higher than that of the control group.
In regards to the Self-Concept Scale, the low scores of all three groups
as well as the close proximity of each of the scores can also be attributed to
the adolescent creating their own self-concept for the first time. Since the
appear that the participant had a very poor self-image and low self-confidence.
Another factor in the Self-Concept Scale scores may be that it has been
proven that the average person is bombarded with 1 000 advertising messages a
day, and with the increased use of the human form in advertisements, a general
These results indicate that, at least in high school students, media
images and society play a significant role in shaping one's attitudes towards
fitness and body image. It is also indicated that among the participants a low