Definition of terms
Body Image - degree of body dissatisfaction or also the self-estimation of the body. E.g. the discrepancy between ones own body characteristics and the characteristics of the model or the Difference between the estimated body size and the actual body size
Meta-Analysis is the combination of the results of several studies that address a set of related research hypotheses. It is useful at this point in time since a lot of research with multiple conflicting outcomes has been conducted. It is considered as more Systematic, explicit, exhaustive than qualitative reviews.
Theoretical Background
Festinger´s social comparison theory (1954)
People evaluate themselves through comparisons and are more likely to compare themselves with those who are somehow similar. Researchers suggest that this can have an negative effect and end in body dissatisfaction which then leads to sadness, discouragement and depression
Gerbner´s cultivation theory (1960s)
The more TV a person watches, the more that person will believe that TV is reality. As a consequence thin images in the media make people believe this is the reality and average. People will try to be as the ideal and some researchers claim that there is a connection between time spent in front of TV and other media and endorsement of the “ideal”, thin woman
Bandura´s social cognitive theory (1962)
People learn and model behaviors of others who are attractive. Young girls find thin models they see in the media attractive and as a result they try to imitate them for example through dieting or eating disorders.
Objectives of the Analysis
• Provide a cumulative measure of effect size across all studies
• Test for consistent d ...