task 2 Flashcards
fat talk
self-disparaging remarks made to others about ones weight or body. a form of self-degradation in that the speaker criticizes his weight, body-shape, or physical fitness . you report your problems but you do not try to solve them I’msofat”or“Mythighslookhugeintheseshorts
3rd person effect
- Women admit to engage in Fat talk but hold that others engage more frequently
- Might view fat talk as behavior which is frowned upon by others
- They do not identify as fat talkers
- Women with a high BMI display a strong third person effect
male body dissatisfaction
+most fat talk appears in context of gym
+Muscle talk
+Body dissatisfaction is normative for both genders
+man face muscularity focused body concerns
+Different content of body talk (weight vs. muscularity
+Men engage in as much fat and body talk as women but because of different wy it goes unnoticed (5 want to loose weight 5 want to gain => even out
Muscle talk
Men´s expression of concerns about being to small and particular body parts they wish were more muscular
Consequences of fat talk
+causes eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, perceived sociocultural pressure to be thin and appereacnce investment
+vicoius cycle
+negative effect in relationships=> women get annoyed by those constantly seeking reassurance
+ thin ideal is kept in society
+causes more body dissatisfaction
+obsession with appearance
+lowered self-esteem
+higher level of fat talk= lower level of self esteem, thin-ideal internalization, self-objectification, drive for thinness, eating disorder pathology
+motivation for further food restriction
Cognitive dissonance theory and fat talk consequences
when someone says or does something that isn’t in line with their self-concept they feel dissonance (unpleasant)
We then change set-concept to avoid dissonance
So person might first only engage in fat talk out of social pressure, but then align their body image with the statement they made
Self-perception theory
Individuals decide how they feel based on their actions
“saying one is fat=> feeling fat”
they might then decide to have a bad body Image after engaging in fat talk
why fat talk?
+ motives differ in age and BMI ( older woman engage less in fat talk)
+subjects with higher BMI engage in Fat talk a lot more
+self-degradation as a social norm => social pressure
+faer of being seen as arrogant
+Impression management: we think it will make others like us & help us fit im
+Social cohesion: feeling like we have something in common + pressure to fat talk to stay in group
+ perceived stress, drive for thinness & dissatisfaction
+ more common around people that meet eating disorder criterium
+chronic dieters are highly vulnerable to fat talk
+ using it as an excuse to take in highly caloric food
+makes us fell better about feeling bad about your body
Objectiofication theory:
women see themselves as objects that are evaluated
fat talk is manifestation of ones body shame and feeling of not loving uo to society expectations
one engages in fat talk so that others won’t say negative comments
Cognitive dissonance
Pluralistc ignorance
most women privately reject the norm, but continue to fat talk because the assume everyone else likes it
In reality women prefer other woman who do not engage in fat talk
third person effect
women see fat talk as necessary for being liked
Fear of social isolation
The purpose of fat talk
+makes women momentarily feel better about their bodies
+desire of social acceptance
+ Reassurance that one is not fat
+cry for help
+indicating stress
+talking about loosing weight provides a awn that might increase social position
Social comparison theory
fat talk reduces feeling of distress and uncertainty by enabling a person to test if others think she is fat
( women repot to engage in fat talk to know that others think of them)
woman that comprae themselves more often also seem to engage in more fat talk
Reasurrance
reassurance seeking is a response to lowered self esteem & fightend uncertainty ( maybe by certain event)
leads to worsening of ones relationships wich lead to more distress ( interpersonal theory of depression)
Fat talk solutions
+Intervention at group level
+awareness of the pressure that women feel to engage in fat talk
+eating disorder prevention programs
+Anti fat talk initiatives
+exposure to normal weight models
=> shifting society preferences
+body positivity
+ adressier the problem early, speaking up if you feel uncomfortable before norm gets interanalized
+talking about the feelings instead of just saying “im fat”
influences leading to fat talk
+sam sex peers have most influence
+ ideals are communicated by media and reinforced by friends family & peers
+those with low body satisfaction show more influence
+ thin deal Is seen as normal & more attractive trough media
+Interpersonal relationships important in development of body dissatisfaction ( compliments are always bad because they point out that appearance is important)
+trough media you expect to have a good life when thin
social comparison theory
fat talk is a way of checking if other people think you are fat
socia norm theory
as long as fat talk is considered to be a social norm it will be maintained
Intrinsic goals (health)
Intrinsic goals (health)
Inward orientation (concerns with one’s own interests, values, …)
Engagement in health promotion
Health development & well-being
Healthy diet & exercising for health and fitness
Extrinsic goals( popularity & conformity)
+directly correlated with fat talk
Extrinsic goals (popularity & conformity)
Outward orientation (focus on being recognized, social status, …)
Engagement in health diminishing
Lower self-esteem, depressions and anxiety
More drastic dieting for appearance reasons
