![Sample our Humanities journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5939/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Humanities.jpg"})
Abstract
Social cognitive theory suggests that stereotypes of attractiveness from mainstream media may function as models for online profile pictures. The present study explores the relationship between media consumption, internalization, and body-ism, clothing, and gaze through a content analysis of the Facebook profile pictures of 288 students, and a survey to assess their media consumption and internalization. The relationship between magazine exposure and pictures was mediated by internalization: magazine readers who internalized media ideals were more likely to select pictures showing their body in revealing clothing. Television viewing had a direct effect on picture selection, but was not mediated by internalization.
Note
Notes
1 In five pictures there was no clothing visible. These were pictures at close or medium distance mostly of men who were most likely wearing shorts although only their nude upper body was visible.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Sanja Kapidzic
Sanja Kapidzic (M.A., Indiana University Bloomington) is a doctoral candidate in Communication Studies at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany. Her research interests include online communication and self-presentation.
Nicole Martins
Nicole Martins (Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008) is an assistant professor in the Media School at Indiana University. Her research interests include the social and psychological effects of the mass media on children and adolescents.