Effects of perceived similarity to male photographic models on body-esteem in college men

Body-image is a multidimensional construct that is defined, in part, as the internal representation a person has of their outer appearance. The self-evaluation that occurs as part of this course is referred to as body-esteem. Social comparison theorists hold that the effects of images and photographs of models in advertisements lead to body dissatisfaction because the person compares themselves with idealized images.;The present study examined the effects of upward comparison on men's body-esteem by having subjects view attractive same gender photographic models. Subjects were 141 male undergraduate and graduate students selected from Hofstra University. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three instructional set conditions (similarly framed instructions, differently framed instructions, and neutrally framed instructions).;Results indicated that men who were instructed that the models were different from them on relevant life domains had body-esteem scores that were unrelated to their weight status (i.e., BMI). Conversely, BMI was a robust predictor of body-esteem in men who were instructed that the models were similar to them, or not specified in either way. These results suggest that, when viewing iconic photographs, men are vulnerable to experiencing deleterious effects with regard to body-esteem. Furthermore, by receiving instructions that differentiate them from the images, men appear to be somewhat buffered from these ill effects.