Lilly F. Lin & James A. Kulik, 2010
"Exposure to pictures of thin-ideal female members of the media has been shown to reduce body satisfaction in women, which in turn has been implicated in various eating disorders.
Through computer manipulation, photos depicted the same woman's face with either a thin or oversize body shape. Results indicated comparison condition did not affect general self-esteem. However, exposure to the thin peer did reduce body satisfaction and confidence and, for those without a boyfriend, raised anxiety. Exposure to an oversize peer produced no compensatory, elevating effects on body satisfaction and confidence. Such an asymmetric comparison effect may contribute to the high prevalence of body dissatisfaction reported among women."
If Looks Could Kill: Digital Manipulation of Fashion Models
Shiela Reaves, Jacqueline Bush Hitchon, Sung-Yeon Park & Gi Woong Yun, 2009
"This study is concerned with the moral dilemma that stems from the digital manipulation of magazine ads to render models thinner. Exposure to the "thin ideal" has been linked to such damaging psychological responses as body dissatisfaction, loss of self-esteem, and ultimately to disordered eating behaviors. However, the artistic freedom of photo editors is a cherished value that conflicts with the concern for public health. Findings suggest that, although aware of the prevalence of digital editing, readers disapprove of its use in rendering models thinner, and judge it to be unethical and unfair. Findings are discussed with regard to the role of education in helping readers discount manipulated images."
"You Can Never Be Too Thin" – or Can You?: A pilot Study on The Effects of Digital Manipulation of Fashion Models" Body Size, Leg Length and Skin Colour
Shiela Reaves, Jacqueline Bush Hitchon, Sung-Yeon Park and Gi Woong Yun, 2004
"Waif-like fashion models in women's glossy magazines are hard to avoid for young women who are still forming their identities.
... psychological problems among young women.
Appearance is more salient for women than for men in developing a positive self-concept.
Problems of unreachable standards of beauty are now compounded by women trying to emulate not only the thin ideal but also photo-fakery.
They point out that magazine editors make a big assumption: 'the reader understands we are creating illusions'.
As a society we may need to recognise that technology has outpaced morality and so we need to educate our population to better interpret the products of that technology."
Visual truth in the digital age: Towards a protocol for image ethics
By Paula Roberts and Jenny Webber
"Advances in computer technology have now made the alteration of photographs and other images mostly impossible to detect, and image manipulation techniques are frequently applied by advertisers intent on deceiving the consumer, and by newspaper editors intent on influencing the opinions of readers, matters which challenge the ethical practice of photojournalism."
Digital Photo Manipulation: A Descriptive Analysis of Codes of Ethics and Ethical Decisions of Photo Editors
By Stephen Edwin Coleman, 2007
"The perfect body has become an obsession by consumers, leading magazines to deal with fashion or celebrity profiles and giving them the look they want. Fantasy has overtaken the reality of images being played out in the real world because the hyperimage has gone unchecked for decades."
The Impact of Media Exposure on Males' Body Image
By Daniel Agliata and Stacey Tantleff-Dunn, 2004
In Vivo Social Comparison to a Thin-Ideal Peer Promotes Body Dissatisfaction: A Randomised Experiment
By Pamela G. Krones, Eric Stice, Carla Batres and Kendra Orjada, 2005
