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- Title
Altered Images: Understanding the Influence of Unrealistic Images and Beauty Aspirations.
- Authors
MacCallum, Fiona; Widdows, Heather
- 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.
- Subjects
PERSONAL beauty; BODY image; CONSUMER attitudes; DIGITAL diagnostic imaging; PHILOSOPHY; SATISFACTION; HEALTH literacy
- Publication
Health Care Analysis, 2018, Vol 26, Issue 3, p235
- ISSN
1065-3058
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10728-016-0327-1