Amanda Joseph 
Westfield State College
Major: Psychology & Communications
Mentor: Dr. Cesar Rebellon, Department of Sociology
Does the media have a greater affect on the self image of college students who are overweight?
Previous research has shown that after viewing slender bodies in the media, women generally feel worse about their own bodies. Men also become dissatisfied with their bodies after viewing muscular fit images, although the dissatisfaction is not as great. However what studies have failed to measure or specify is if the media has the same or greater affect on heavyweight individuals. My hypothesis is that the media will have a greater affect on the body image of heavyweight individuals than those who are normal weight. Secondly, the media will have the greatest affect on heavyweight females, because women's bodies are traditionally critically reviewed.
