Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Psychology

Reader 1

PROFESSOR MA

Reader 2

PROFESSOR MA PROFESSOR GROSCUP

Abstract

Body dissatisfaction and eating disorders are on the rise worldwide. Abundant research exists on causes of negative body image in women, especially as created by the media's unrealistic portrayal of thinness. There is a dearth of literature about which media advertising strategies most influence consumers to conform to “the thin ideal.” This study analyzes the use of buzzwords and celebrity endorsements, and their effects on stated likelihood of conforming behavior. In accordance with the study hypotheses, the anticipated results are: A) Conformity pressure through buzzwords will increase stated likelihood of behaviors conforming to the thin ideal; B) Celebrity endorsements will increase participants’ stated likelihood of conforming to the thin ideal; C) Through the interaction effect, buzzwords on conformity to the thin ideal will have greater impact with celebrity endorsers than without. Our target sample size is 788 college-aged women. Using four different scales, we’ll measure self-esteem, internalization of sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, credibility of celebrity endorsements, and stated likelihood of conforming to the thin ideal. The methodology will expose four groups to different constructed advertisements: 1) with buzzwords pertaining to the thin ideal alone; 2) with buzzwords and a celebrity endorsement; 3) with a celebrity endorsement alone; 4) with neither buzzwords or a celebrity endorsement. The implication of this study is that it will provide insight into the specific elements of thin ideal content in media and which of these elements is most problematic, should it need to be altered for the health of media consumers.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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