Celebrities distort girls’ search for ideal shape By shaunna and Rob

What does the article suggest about the difference between self image and ideal self in teenage girls? 35% think they are overweight 7% think they are underweight 66% think they need to lose weight 71% would be 100% happier if they could lose half a stone This suggests that their ideal self is far from their self image.

The perfect female form would be Beyoncé’s face, Jennifer Aniston’s hair and arms, Christina Aguilera’s breasts, Britney spears stomach, Jamelia’s legs and J.Lo’s bum. This is not achievable and so is far from their actual self.

What influences are there to pressure teenage girls into becoming anxious about their appearance and/or diet? Peers Boys Celebrities Mothers on diets Advertising/Media Bitchy girls Diet books Magazines Bullies etc…

Social Influence Being in a group of friends can either influence or pressure you into changing your own body image. If the group you are with are all thinner than you then you may feel a pressure from them to lose weight and be like them.

Social learning Theory Having a role model may influence you to try and be like them, and try to look the same as them. If your role model is a celebrity then you may find it harder to be like them. So a girl may find that she's starving herself to look like Nicole Richie (before she was pregnant).