Purpose:  The purpose of this assignment is to investigate body image concerns.  How you think and feel about your the appearance of your body is associated with feelings of self-worth.  A negative body image can make you more susceptible to mental disorders such as eating disorders, anxiety and depression. Research shows that looking at beautiful images of women and men, in social media and elsewhere, can cause feelings of depression, low self-esteem and eating disorders in ordinary people.  Do you think that body image concerns have grown into a public health concern? Include how Cognitive Behavior Theory (how our negative thoughts lead to negative feelings which lead to negative behaviors) could be used in therapy to treat body image disorders.

This assignment addresses learning outcome #7 in which students can learn about how psychological principles can change lives, organizations or communities in positive ways.

Task:  Your task is:

(1) Type in the google search bar-Body image in the media.gov or visit the  American Psychological Association site and type in the search bar-Beauty and body image in the media and a variety of articles will appear.  Select an article to read that is relevant to this topic.

(2) Identify the name of your article, the authors and the year.

(3) Please use the above information and/or course readings to find 3 new facts that you learned.  Please follow the discussion board rubric. Respond with a paragraph for each new fact with 6-7 complete sentences per paragraph, free of spelling and grammar errors.  Include 3 in-text citations in the body of the posting and a coherent integration of content.

Reflection Questions: At the end of your post, write 2-4 complete sentences with one connection that you can make from this assignment and why. (For example, how this discussion might be relevant for your life or learning)?  Then, write 2-4-complete sentences  and ideas along with one connection you can make from this assignment that may be relevant for you life or learning and one unresolved question that you may have.

(4) Respond to a classmate who has your same pet or something close.  You may need to re-read the class introductions in Discussion Board#1.  This is a great way to get to know others with your same major and to build classroom community!

Criteria for Success:  Your assignment will be graded based on the following criteria: (a) Do you have 3 new facts with a paragraph for each new fact with 6-7 complete sentences per paragraph, free of spelling and grammar errors?  (b) Did you include 3 in-text citations in the body of the posting and a coherent integration of content and ideas along with one connection you can make from this assignment that may be relevant for you life or learning and one unresolved question that you may have?  (c) Did you respond to a classmate’s posting?  Check to make sure that you have not submitted an empty document.  If the document is empty, you will earn a zero

ANSWER

The Impact of Body Image Concerns on Public Health and Cognitive Behavior Theory in Treatment

Introduction

This assignment explores the growing concern of body image issues and their impact on public health. The association between body image, self-worth, and mental disorders such as eating disorders, anxiety, and depression is a significant topic of discussion. This essay also examines how Cognitive Behavior Theory (CBT) can be utilized in therapy to address body image disorders.

Article Selection: Title: “The Impact of Social Media on Body Image: A Review of the Literature” Authors: Perloff, R. M. Year: 2014

Three New Facts Learned

Social Media’s Role in Body Image Concerns: The selected article highlights the profound influence of social media on body image concerns. Exposure to idealized images of beauty, often digitally altered, on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, has been linked to negative self-perception and dissatisfaction with one’s appearance. This exposure intensifies feelings of low self-esteem and contributes to the development of mental health issues.

The Influence of Thin Ideal: The article discusses how the portrayal of the “thin ideal” in media affects body image perceptions. This idealized body type is often unattainable and unrealistic for most individuals. Such portrayals contribute to the perpetuation of negative body image and unhealthy comparison, which can lead to disordered eating behaviors and psychological distress.

Gender and Body Image: The article delves into the gendered aspects of body image concerns. While women have historically been more impacted by societal beauty standards, men are increasingly facing body image pressures. Male beauty ideals have evolved to emphasize muscularity, contributing to body dissatisfaction and promoting harmful behaviors such as excessive exercise and supplement use.

Reflection and Connection: This assignment underscores the critical connection between media portrayal, body image, and mental health. The knowledge gained from this research resonates with me as it reflects the pervasive impact of media on self-perception and well-being. This information is highly relevant to my personal life, as it provides insights into the potential sources of societal pressures that may affect individuals’ mental health.

Unresolved Question: While the article explores the effects of media on body image, I am left wondering about potential strategies or interventions to counteract the negative impact of media portrayals. How can individuals and society work together to promote positive body image in the face of these influential media messages?

Response to Classmate: I resonate with your exploration of body image concerns in the media and their implications for mental health. It’s alarming how these influences can impact not only individuals’ self-perception but also their psychological well-being. I agree that promoting awareness and fostering a supportive community can be pivotal in addressing these concerns. Additionally, I’m interested in learning more about how cultural diversity intersects with body image perceptions and media influences. Are there specific cultural factors that buffer or exacerbate the effects of media on body image among different groups?