Sex differences in perception of female body shapes (FINAL YEAR Literature review

Sex differences in perception of female body shapes (FINAL YEAR PSYCHOLOGY) - Literature review Example This analysis will be through the systematic search of journal databases in order to find commonalities among various articles through key word searches. The primary concern of the research was focused on body weight as most articles articulated this aspect of body image as being the primary focus of quantifying attractiveness. The search strategy that was used for this study was undertaken through a search of the Web of Knowledge data base, specifically through Medline and Webscience. 40 studies were defined as relevant to the study and were used in order to compare both duplicate results and to contrast any information that might be in conflict. Through the use of a large variety of studies, the conclusions were verified through multiple resources and the information was confirmed as reliable. #Sex differences on perception of female body shape as attractive A Review of the Relevant Literature Chapter One: Introduction 1.1 Background and Importance The body image issues in the West ern world have gained ground in importance through the influence of the media. Body image is connected to issues of success, of mating, and of overall mental health in terms of contentment with the quality of one’s life. ... Therefore, the study of this phenomenon has occurred through the work of multiple researchers who have explored the perceptions of female body image through both the male and female perspective. Social influences have been determined to have an impact on the fashion of body weight in terms of perception of attraction. The media has the highest level of power in influencing the fashion of body weight attractiveness where females are concerned (Johnson and Petri 1995: Feingold and Mazzella 1998: Glauert, Rhodes, Byrne, Fink, and Grammer. 2009).. Family and friends more often provide a positive influence, while media influence produce highly improbably ideals that are improbable for most women to replicate. This creates a lowered self-esteem and predicts lower overall satisfaction in life. This can lead to food issues and eating disorders which impact the quality of life. The following literature review has been conducted using a search strategy that includes the use of the Web Knowledg e database, an online service through which the entering of key words provides a selection of appropriate relevant literature. The first section of the work will provide a list of key words that were used in order to conduct the search. In the process of conducting this search, a large number of articles were discovered that have initial relevant content. The articles were then searched to find those which had the most detailed relevant content and through which the best possible choices could be made towards establishing a foundation for the topic. 1.3 Search Protocol 1.3.1 Selection Criteria The topic of this paper is the differences in perception that males and females appreciate in regard to how the female body shape