Abstract
With the current studies, we aimed to improve body satisfaction by inducing a functionality-based focus on the body. Objectification theory was used as a guiding framework for this approach. In Study 1, 59 female and 59 male undergraduates and, in Study 2, 118 women between the ages of 30 and 50 years completed a writing assignment to experimentally manipulate their body focus. The writing assignment instructions were to describe what one's body can do (functionality focus) or what one's body looks like (appearance focus); a control writing task was also included. Functionality and appearance satisfaction, as well as global self-esteem, were measured at baseline, on test-day, and at a 1-week follow-up. In Study 1, male undergraduates in the functionality condition experienced an increase in functionality satisfaction from baseline to test-day; female undergraduates in the appearance condition experienced a decrease in functionality satisfaction both from baseline to test-day and from baseline to follow-up. In Study 2, women in the functionality condition experienced an increase in functionality satisfaction from baseline to follow-up. The current studies are the first known to experimentally manipulate the functionality-based approach to the body and to investigate its effects on body image-serving to suggest perceived functionality as a potentially fruitful focus for further research and intervention.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 181-196 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Psychology of Women Quarterly |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2014 |
Keywords
- body image
- objectification
- functionality
- instrumentality
- physical appearance
- body awareness
- age differences
- self-esteem
- DISORDER EXAMINATION-QUESTIONNAIRE
- ROSENBERG SELF-ESTEEM
- EATING-DISORDERS
- PSYCHOMETRIC EVALUATION
- SEXUAL OBJECTIFICATION
- GENDER-DIFFERENCES
- IMAGE
- WOMEN
- DISSATISFACTION
- EXPERIENCES