JMC 1100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Fiji, Social Comparison Theory

• School: University of Iowa
• Department: Journalism & Mass Communication
• Course: JMC 1100
• Professor: Rachel Young

Document Summary

Also, review: sparks chapter 8: pgs 179-182 for cultivation theory. Extent to which we think television is like real life. Thinking television is a lot like real life can increase the influence of media on perceived reality. Images of women (ideal body images of women) in the media shifted over time. Images of the media may construct the ideal body images, and it may reflect the ideal body images of that time. Body image: subjective concept of one"s own physical appearance based on self-observation and the reactions of others. Media portrayals of thinness as the most desirable body type for women. Not only thinness itself, but also thinness associated with other desirable traits of women, such as health, happiness, popularity, success, and intelligence. This body type is the ideal, but is also unrealistic or unattainable for most women. Media portrayals of lean, muscular, and toned as the most desirable body type for men.