Ideal Body Image, 2
Effect of Thin vs. Plus-Size Models: A Comparison of Body Image Ideals by Gender
The effect of exposure to thin and plus-size fashion models was examined in two
studies. Perceptions of the ideal female body shape moved toward a heavier ideal after
exposure to plus-size models in comparison to exposure to thin models. This effect was
significant for both men and women. In a follow-up experiment, an elastic body image
effect was found in the plus-models condition, but not the thin-models condition. Women
who saw plus-size models rated their actual body shapes to be slightly heavier than their
pre-exposure estimations. However, no significant shifts were observed among women
who saw thin models. Various social judgment biases were identified. Most notably,
women tend to overestimate men’s preference for thinness. Men, on the other hand,
present conflicting data. Compared to women, men preferred a heavier female ideal. On
the other hand, men also found thin models to be more attractive than plus-size models.
These findings are examined within the context of social comparisons and social
judgment biases.
Convention