Self-Schema and Social Comparison Explanations of Body Dissatisfaction: A Laboratory Investigation
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2007
Keywords
Body image, Social comparison, Cognitive priming, Mood
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2006.12.004
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.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Body Image, v. 4, issue 1, p. 29-38
Scholar Commons Citation
van den Berg, Patricia and Thompson, Joel Kevin, "Self-Schema and Social Comparison Explanations of Body Dissatisfaction: A Laboratory Investigation" (2007). Psychology Faculty Publications. 2206.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/psy_facpub/2206
