Abstract
The current study was an investigation of the self-schema and social comparison theories of body dissatisfaction. The social comparison manipulation consisted of exposure to one of three levels of comparison figure: upward, downward, or no comparison. Two different imagery exercises served to prime either a participants' appearance self-schema, or a non-appearance schema. Participants completed state measures of body image and mood at pre- and posttest. Results indicated no significant interaction between priming and social comparison and no significant main effect for priming. However, there was a significant effect of social comparison, such that those in the downward comparison condition showed an increase in body satisfaction and positive mood. Results are discussed in the context of self-schema theory and social comparison, and suggestions are given for future research that might further shed light on these theoretical approaches for understanding body dissatisfaction.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 29-38 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Body Image |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Body image
- Cognitive priming
- Mood
- Social comparison
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Applied Psychology
- General Psychology