Date of Award
5-2003
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Abstract
This study investigated the differences between college women living in sorority houses and college women living in residence halls in their perceptions of media images and how those perceptions are related to self-esteem, body image, and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance. One hundred thirty four college women living in either sorority houses or residence halls were placed into two groups who either viewed neutral images or those of "ideal" images of women in the media. The groups were randomly assigned and participation was voluntary. It was hypothesized that women living in sorority houses were more negatively affected by images of women in the media in terms of body image and sociocultural attitudes. It was found that the media images were not the mediating factors in low body image and negative sociocultural attitudes (p = .921 ); however the influence of their place of residence and the interactions in those places had a significant impact on the participant's body image and perceptions of themselves in society (p = .017). The implications of this research allow for closer examination of social interactions; specifically perceptions college women are forming about body image and societal values based on the evaluations from those around them. This research lends itself to the development of educational programs and services dedicated to addressing deteriorating body image of college women in terms of place of residence and social context.
Recommended Citation
Bernhardt, Sarah J., "The impact of "ideal" images of women in the media: Differences between college women living in sorority houses and college women living in residence halls in the perceptions and effects of media images of women" (2003). Theses and Dissertations. 7395.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/7395