Social comparison and body image: An investigation of body comparison processes using multidimensional scaling

    Authors

    E. Fisher; M. Dunn;J. K. Thompson

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Soc. Clin. Psychol.

    Keywords

    DRINKING-RELATED DIFFERENCES; EXPECTANCY MEMORY NETWORK; ALCOHOL; EXPECTANCIES; SEMANTIC RELATIONS; ORGANIZATION; ACTIVATION; CHILDREN; VERIFICATION; DISTURBANCE; RECALL; Psychology, Clinical; Psychology, Social

    Abstract

    A total of 1,760 females and males were assessed for cognitive social comparison processes regarding physical appearance. Participants ranged in age from middle school (7th and 8th graders) to college juniors and seniors. Multidimensional scaling techniques were used as the analytical strategy. The results revealed the existence of two primary comparison dimensions: weight/non-weight and muscle/non-muscle. Males and females differed substantially in the cognitive organization of appearance comparison schemas along these two dimensions. Females emphasized body sites and parts along the weight/non-weight continuum whereas, for males, body areas along the muscle/non-muscle dimension were emphasized. Essentially no developmental trends were identified: comparison schemas for 7th graders through college seniors were virtually identical. The findings are discussed in light of the emerging role of body comparison tendencies as a potential risk factor for body image and eating disturbances.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology

    Volume

    21

    Issue/Number

    5

    Publication Date

    1-1-2002

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    566

    Last Page

    579

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000178872800006

    ISSN

    0736-7236

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