Beauty, Media Representations, and Body Image

Abstract

This chapter explores the impacts that sociocultural beauty ideals in media have on body image and societal attitudes towards appearance. The chapter begins by outlining how appearance is portrayed in traditional and social media, specifically focussing on the over-representation of narrow beauty ideals and the under-representation of minoritised groups, including individuals with appearance-altering conditions. The chapter then presents research on the negative impacts that exposure to beauty ideals in media can have on body image and related components of psychological well-being. Additionally, this chapter examines the potential for social media as a tool to foster positive body image and to increase acceptance of appearance-altering conditions and appearance diversity more broadly. The chapter ends with suggestions for further research and practical recommendations for using media in ways that support positive body image and psychological well-being.