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Altered images : understanding the influence of unrealistic images and beauty aspirations

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MacCallum, Fiona and Widdows, Heather (2018) Altered images : understanding the influence of unrealistic images and beauty aspirations. Health Care Analysis, 26 (3). pp. 235-245. doi:10.1007/s10728-016-0327-1

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10728-016-0327-1

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Abstract

In this paper we consider the impact of digitally altered images on individuals’ body satisfaction and beauty aspirations. Drawing on current psychological literature we consider interventions designed to increase knowledge about the ubiquity and unreality of digital images and, in the form of labelling, provide information to the consumer. Such interventions are intended to address the negative consequences of unrealistic beauty ideals. However, contrary to expectations, such initiatives may not be effective, especially in the long-term, and may even be counter-productive. We seek to understand this phenomenon of our continued aspiration for beauty ideals we know to be unreal and even impossible. We draw on our respective disciplines to offer psychological and philosophical accounts for why this might be. We conclude that beauty ideals are deeply embedded in our aspirations, practices, and in our constructions of ourselves. Given this, it is not surprising that simply increasing knowledge, or providing information, will be insufficient to challenge them.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > HF Commerce
Divisions: Faculty of Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Body image, Digital images, Aesthetics, Mass media, Advertising
Journal or Publication Title: Health Care Analysis
Publisher: Springer New York LLC
ISSN: 1065-3058
Official Date: September 2018
Dates:
DateEvent
September 2018Published
18 July 2016Available
9 July 2016Accepted
Volume: 26
Number: 3
Page Range: pp. 235-245
DOI: 10.1007/s10728-016-0327-1
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Open Access
Funder: Arts & Humanities Research Council (Great Britain) (AHRC)
Grant number: AH/ L01548X/1
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant:
Project/Grant IDRIOXX Funder NameFunder ID
AH/ L01548X/1[AHRC] Arts and Humanities Research Councilhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000267

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