The relationship between exposure to thin models in fashion magazines and Taiwanese female readers' perceptions of their body shapes.

摘要

This study applies cultivation theory with the social comparison theory in examining the relationship between an individual's exposure to thin models in fashion magazines with that of Taiwanese female readers' perception towards their body shape. The analysis of data was based on the response of 151 female students at Wenzao Ursuline College of Language. The female students who responded that they read fashion magazines were used in this analysis, while an additional 5 female students who answered that they did not read fashion magazines were excluded from the analysis. The findings of this study suggested that not only exposure to thin models in fashion magazines influence those respondents' acceptance of thinness as the ideal beauty, but also peer pressure plays a critical role. In turn, the results of those respondents' acceptance of thinness as the ideal beauty would decrease the level of satisfaction toward their own body shape. In addition, the discrepancy perceived between those Taiwanese female respondents versus fashion magazine models is likely to influence those respondents who are attempting weight loss activity in their desire to be thin.