Media's out to Get Us ALL!
English 110/Professor Pringle
11/20/17
The current age of digital media allows for the most powerful way to share information. Since the 1900’s, new forms of technology have been used to display and perpetuate certain social norms and ideas which people then feel pressured to live up to. However, this can diminish our own views about ourselves. As mass communication continues to expand, different forms of media such as print media, broadcast media, and social media are influencing the individual’s self-esteem.
Print media, such as magazines, display ideal models that affect how viewers perceive their own bodies. Viewers are most reasonable when the images were seen are internalized. A University of Wisconsin-Madison, the study showed that this “ideal” form is internalized by viewers, and causing them to suffer from eating disorders, self-objectification, and perceiving themselves as objects rather than a human being ashamed of their (Chojnack et al.). As viewers see ideal body shapes and sizes, they compare themselves to these perfect bodies that the media purposely portrays. As a result, viewers easily internalize the distinction between themselves and the ideal pictures of models. This influences viewers to become more conscious of their body shape, eating patterns, and self-esteem. A question asked from the survey was, “How often do female models in magazines affect your feelings about yourself?” Responses indicated that models affect 73% of the female participants’ feelings about themselves, this is a lot of people (Chojnack et al.). This is exemplified by an interview with 23 year old, Maggie, who is overweight. She admits that “images from the media have affected the way she views her body” and that “she wishes that her body more closely resembled other women.” Maggie’s self-esteem concerning her body is low; therefore, she feels that she is not good enough and has to change. Changing is an indication that media has affected how viewers perceive their own bodies.
The idea that women must change is a result of the media’s message that women are not attractive neither skinny. Because of this message, women are shown in media usually look at themselves in the mirror and start to believe that they are overweight (Chojnack et al.). This belief is further enhanced by the media enticing viewers to buy products such as dieting plans, dieting pills, and weight loss classes. Companies not only do this to make consumers second-guess how attractive they are but also to promote their products. The media suggests that it is better to be attractive because it makes it easier to find a partner, receive compliments, and capture people’s attention. As a result, consumers try to have the same body as the model to be more attractive physically because they think all these qualities will make them happier. In order to have the same body, the media encourages change. When this happens, the individual's appreciation for their own body declines because, they begin to believe that they are not good enough. The desire to achieve the same body as the model causes a decline in self-esteem.
Broadcast media, such as the television, also encourages harmful trends. These trends not only impact viewers, but also negatively influence the models displayed on media as well. Salenna Russello, an undergraduate researcher reports that, “... most of the women portrayed in the media are 15% below the average weight of women, and there has been evidence that these women have become increasingly thinner over the years” (Qtd. In Russello 3). The desire to be displayed on television is so great that one is pressured to conform to the standards that the media sets for actors. This standard is way lower than average weight; however, this standard continues to be higher. Despite how unhealthy this may be, viewers still aspire to have the body that these actors have because they are not satisfied with their own. This dissatisfaction comes from the correlation between television viewing and appearance satisfaction. M. Alison Denzer-King an undergraduate psychology major of Wesleyan University observed the following: Girls who are maturing are shown to media that deals with how people truly look, this makes young girls unhappy with the way they look (Qtd. in King 36). The images of ideals that are portrayed on television can influence an individual from just watching an hour of it. As an individual’s exposure to these images increases, “the pressure to adhere to these ideals becomes greater” (Russello 3). This can be concluded because if one is easily manipulated by pressures on television, then one is not content with their own body. They find the need to change for media in order to be confident and feel beautiful.
Television not only advertises ideal models, but it also presents gender stereotypes. For example, females are stereotyped to be submissive, weak and quiet. These characteristics that women are often associated with can affect them negatively. “Women who watch gender stereotype conforming, as compared to gender stereotype breaking, commercials are more likely to conform and less likely to show confidence in public speaking than those shown commercials defying gender stereotypes” (qtd. in Denzer-King 3). When stereotypes of women are displayed on television, women are more likely to become even more passive and unconfident. In 1980, a study was conducted in which female participants were asked to give a public speech after they were shown commercials with stereotyped behavior. During each speech, the confidence level was measured. The study displayed that participants conformed to the stereotypes on television and showed a lower confidence level while speaking in public. These results can determine that stereotypes displayed on television can affect one’s self-esteem. An individual may be a victim of the stereotype; therefore, they might be more self-conscious with themselves, making their own self-esteem lower. We see that media stereotypes influence not only the way people see their body, but their gender roles.
In the 21st century, social media has become part of everyday life and is also of individuals. Social media is no longer only used for communication and entertainment, but also gaining attention from followers who are strangers, friends or even family (Qtd. in Perez 3). Since social media allows one to display photos, write statuses and share stories, individuals post them for the sole purpose of recognition and popularity from family, friends, and ultimately, the world. By posting, individuals long for the response they will receive through comments and likes, which shows that others care about not only them, but also their life. This helps increase one’s self-esteem because by receiving likes, one receives the consciousness that others are interested in their lives, which results in a higher self-esteem (Perez et al.). However, if photos aren’t at a certain number of likes, it adds to people’s self-esteem which causes them to notice their lives and truly makes them sad (Perez et al.). This is because individuals feel unwanted or boring when they do not receive the desired response. As a result, they tend to look down upon themselves by feeling misery. They do not receive the same positive self-esteem that is acquired with acceptance and recognition.
As more and more people use social media to track not only one’s own post, but also family and friends’ post, social media has become detrimental to the individual. Perez wrote, “... the more time people spend on social media, the more depressed they become when comparing their lives to others … it makes people feel bad about their own lives for not seeming as exciting and perfect.” (Perez et al.) Many lives aren’t exciting and perfect to others because of their social status, career, class, or just how they perceive themselves to be viewed as. Many people have access to the exposure of other people’s lives on the Internet. As a result, one’s own life is compared to others and can seem boring or dull. However, this happens because people tend to post positive and exciting things on their profile, not depressing or mundane posts. Because of this, only the negative aspect of one’s own life is being compared with others. As a result, they do not have the same positive self-esteem that people may get due to lots of friends or exciting adventures. If one has low self-esteem, they will more likely have a negative attitude and not be satisfied with life, leading to depression. Similarly, low spirits can cause people to become unhappy or dissatisfied with themselves, which is low self-esteem. Social media’s role is for people to show their everyday life, it can be a place of happiness or a place of sadness. The happiness is sharing their adventures and the sadness is sharing their life situations. Another role media can have is that people having a competition between themselves and others to show that they have two different sides.
Instagram is used by many but has a different effect for extroverts and introverts because of how they portray themselves on media. Experimental studies by Jack Kanouzi, a Yale biotech student show that, “... extroverts are generally more outgoing and positive in effect, leading to more positive self-evaluations - in other words, higher self-esteem” (Qtd. in Kanouzi 3). Extroverts tend to not keep to themselves due to their outgoing trait when insecurities affect them, including images seen in the media. Studies by Kanouzi show that they are also less likely to be affected in general due to being emotionally stable. Though not all extroverts are socially stable some have it harder than others. Introverts, on the other hand, are more likely being affected by the “images, messages and experiences to which they are exposed,” compared to extroverts (Qtd. in Kanouzi 7). This can be due to them being more reserved and shy. With these traits, they are less likely to talk out their feelings and instead, they bottle them up. Introverts display “increased feelings of envy” internally because of exposure to “lavish lifestyles, perfect bodies and pretty faces” stated by researcher Nicole Annette Dion, of Salem State University (qtd. in Dion 7). There is often an upward social comparison in which one looks to another individual that they consider to be better off. When this happens, one can be jealous of the other person’s life or appearance. This can lead to dejection. “Low self- esteem is a causal risk factor for the development of depression.” However, depression can also cause low self-esteem (qtd. in Kanouzi 6). If one has low self-esteem, they will more likely have a negative attitude and not be satisfied with life, leading to depression. Similarly, low spirits can cause people to become unhappy or dissatisfied with themselves, which is low self-esteem. Images of other people's lives are shown on Instagram, and this can cause a damaging as well as positive social comparison.
Low self-esteem can be the cause and result of Facebook use. Compared to the past, “Studies indicate that people tend to self-disclose much more on internet sites than in the real, physical world” (Qtd. in Raymer 6). Because of how much social media has taken over the world, people disclose more personal or sensitive information online due to their desire for popularity and to gain acceptance. This is their tool to be acknowledged when they do not feel recognized in the real, physical world. They have the ability to do this online more than in person because they are behind a screen. The screen allows one to put up a identity which is a presentation of an individual’s good sides, their incomplete identity that society will accept. Although they believe that this will help, it may be harmful to one’s self-esteem. Kristine E. Raymer, A student working her way up for a master’s degree in psychology at Rowan University presented a thesis which observed that “individuals with low self-esteem may end up feeling worse due to the effects of social comparison on social networking sites such as Facebook.” People intend on logging onto social media to connect with family and friends. This allows them to seek belonging and popularity. However, they can end up feeling worse due to the positive representations that others create for themselves online. This makes Facebook a “surveillance tool” and results in some to believe that others have better lives than themselves.
People have transformed their lives to include the world online. Because of this, people are much connected spending their time on media platforms having more online conversations than socializing in person. This causes negative feelings of isolation between peers, family even the individuals. (Qtd. in Raymer V). As a result, people do not know how to communicate in person anymore. This can lead to lower self-esteem and possibly, depression. Although social media users may believe that Facebook helps those who experience low self-esteem, Facebook actually ends up causing lower self-esteem. This is because of the decreased ability to communicate, despite Facebook being a platform for people to interact.
Media can be an unavoidable platform which benefits individual’s self-esteem which causes them to relieve their stress or depression and be happy. According to CSUN journalism, April Preciado states “getting likes serves as an ego boost” (Perez et al.) This is helpful in raising people’s self-esteem because these likes received for photos show that people are taking interest in that person, engrossed in what the person is trying to present. Moreover, Preciado exaggerates “I use it as a form of motivation to keep going strong and not give up,” (Perez et al.). In a way, social media for most people is a place to be creative presenting conflicts which will be fought through to a greater solution instead of failing to achieve what is desired. Boys and girls have different concerns due to body images presented in social media that affects self-esteem. There are 45% boys who care about pictures being posted with their friends, which is not a big deal, unlike 24% of the girls who care more about their friends posting pictures with them (Concerns). Both boys and girls have a different level of self-esteem which are affected because of gender roles.
Different media sites can cause low self-esteem in an individual in different ways. Print media displays the “perfect body” that the media suggests as attractive. They encourage viewers to change by buying products that will help them be more attractive according to media’s standards, like a model. Similarly, broadcast media displays ideal actors that people look up to. This causes great amounts of dissatisfaction in one’s own image of themselves as an increased amount of television is consumed. Another harmful type of media prominent in the 21st century is social media. Psychologists and researchers agree that low self-esteem is achieved when teenagers and adults long for the most amount of likes and comments; however, their desired outcome is not reached. Since Instagram has developed to share one’s own life, low self-esteem occurs when users compare their own life to the exciting events and experiences that friends and family are involved in. Not only is a social comparison on Instagram great, but it is also vast on Facebook. Although those with low self-esteem resort to interaction behind a screen, it has been studied to be harmful as well due to less face-to-face communication and more social evaluations, therefore people should take their misconception and work for a better understanding. Although each media platform has a different attribution to causing low self-esteem, they all cause harmful and destructive effects to an individual’s mentality. This presents that different forms of media affect humans self-esteem which leads to no remedy.
Work Cited
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- English 110 Portfolio Alyah Lima
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