The Effect of Experimental Presentation of Thin Media Images on Body Satisfaction: A Meta-Analytic Review Groesz, Levine, & Murnen, 2002 Critique by Tovah Yanover November 7, 2005

Research Domain Body dissatisfaction is a risk factor for eating disorders as well as one of their cardinal features. Body dissatisfaction is a risk factor for eating disorders as well as one of their cardinal features. It has become so prevalent among females that it has been referred to by some as “normative.” It has become so prevalent among females that it has been referred to by some as “normative.” One contributor is the internalization of an unattainable thin ideal. One contributor is the internalization of an unattainable thin ideal. The visual media, have taken much of the blame for establishing and promulgating this ideal. The visual media, have taken much of the blame for establishing and promulgating this ideal. In their meta-analysis, Groesz, Levine, and Murnen examine the effect of presenting thin media images on body dissatisfaction. The primary question of interest in this meta-analysis is whether the presentation of thin media images will have an effect on the body dissatisfaction of females. In their meta-analysis, Groesz, Levine, and Murnen examine the effect of presenting thin media images on body dissatisfaction. The primary question of interest in this meta-analysis is whether the presentation of thin media images will have an effect on the body dissatisfaction of females.

Locating Studies Searched PsycINFO, Medline, and First Search with keywords media, body image, body dissatisfaction, contrast effect, and thin ideal Searched PsycINFO, Medline, and First Search with keywords media, body image, body dissatisfaction, contrast effect, and thin ideal For published and unpublished studies? For published and unpublished studies? Eating Disorders, The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, International Journal of Eating Disorders, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and Sex Roles from 1991 to 1999 Eating Disorders, The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, International Journal of Eating Disorders, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and Sex Roles from 1991 to 1999 Book chapters, article and dissertation? reference sections Book chapters, article and dissertation? reference sections

Hypotheses 1. An overall significant effect such that viewing slender models would increase body dissatisfaction in females. 2. Females with a history of eating disorders or high body dissatisfaction would be more susceptible to the negative effects of viewing slender models. 3. Females younger than 19 would be more susceptible to the negative effects of viewing slender models than females over then A larger dose of exposure to the images will have greater negative effects than a smaller dose.

Measures 4 types: body satisfaction, weight satisfaction, physical attractiveness, and body size estimation 4 types: body satisfaction, weight satisfaction, physical attractiveness, and body size estimation Unitary dependent variable? Unitary dependent variable? Subjective and objective measurement combined Subjective and objective measurement combined Examined as a moderator but should have done separate analyses Examined as a moderator but should have done separate analyses Based conclusions on overall test Based conclusions on overall test

Moderators Only gave hypotheses for 3 Only gave hypotheses for 3 Participant age, history of dissatisfaction or ED, dose of exposure Participant age, history of dissatisfaction or ED, dose of exposure Also looked at type of design (between vs. within), type of outcome measure, type of control stimuli Also looked at type of design (between vs. within), type of outcome measure, type of control stimuli

Calculation of Effect Sizes Calculated g Calculated g Experimental group mean – control group mean/pooled SD Experimental group mean – control group mean/pooled SD Applied correction? to unbias estimates Applied correction? to unbias estimates

Results Hypothesis 1 supported Hypothesis 1 supported Gave significance test, z-value, confidence interval Gave significance test, z-value, confidence interval No variance estimates presented No variance estimates presented Looked for moderators despite nonsignificant Q-test Looked for moderators despite nonsignificant Q-test Claimed moderate variability left but no estimate presented Claimed moderate variability left but no estimate presented Presented only d-values; no CI, no variability Presented only d-values; no CI, no variability

Discussion Too strong Too strong Claims based on omnibus mean despite lack of unitary dependent variable Claims based on omnibus mean despite lack of unitary dependent variable No reminder that moderator tests were performed despite nonsignificant Q-test No reminder that moderator tests were performed despite nonsignificant Q-test

Concluding Remarks Asked an important question BUT: Asked an important question BUT: Problems in the presentation and analyses Problems in the presentation and analyses Confusing wording Confusing wording A lot of detail was omitted that should have been presented A lot of detail was omitted that should have been presented Too many quotatations Too many quotatations