UC San Diego

Although the presence of thin-ideal females in the media has been shown to decrease women's body satisfaction, preliminary research suggests that men may not be as negatively impacted. Recent research highlights the role of an individual's mindset in moderating comparison outcomes, which raises the possibility that mindset differences between men and women moderate the effects of comparisons with fit others. Mussweiler's (2003) selective accessibility model (SAM) predicts that initial perceptions of either similarity or dissimilarity with the comparison target will lead to differential reactions. A similarity mindset is predicted to promote assimilation (i.e., move self-evaluations in the direction of the comparison target), whereas a dissimilarity mindset is predicted to promote contrast (i.e., move self-evaluations away from the comparison target). Additionally, researchers have considered the role of a temporal mindset, proposing that a comparison other which elicits inspiration and thoughts of a future, better version of the self, promotes assimilation, whereas a mindset that is evaluative and focused on who one is at present fosters contrast. Most women demonstrate contrast (decrements in appearance satisfaction) following exposure to idealized media targets. However, both SAM and the temporal-mindset models predict that if women were to adopt either a similarity or possible-self mindset when comparing to idealized media targets, increased self-satisfaction should occur. Research suggests men generally may not be as negatively impacted by comparisons with media images, but SAM and the temporal-mindset models predict that if either a dissimilarity or current-self mindset are induced, men may demonstrate contrast (decreased self- satisfaction). Results of the first two studies demonstrate that men experience increases in appearance satisfaction, and women decreases in appearance satisfaction, following exposure to fit peers, a pattern that likely contributes to the more pervasive negative feelings women have about their bodies. Manipulations of similarity and temporal mindsets were found to moderate social comparison outcomes in ways that may help to explain this gender difference. Consistent with temporal mindset models, possible-self mindsets were associated with increased appearance satisfaction in women. However, when temporal mindsets were tailored specifically to appearance, men responded with decreased appearance satisfaction. The implications of these findings for body- image research are discussed