Recent studies are showing that we are increasingly more affected by our cultural surroundings than we ever thought when it comes to body image. The findings of two of these studies are particularly revealing and surprising. The first is a study of mirrors and how we respond to our own reflection. The second is a study of wide-screen TV’s and their effect on our own body image and the images of the actresses on the screen.

Let’s start by asking the age old question, “Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who feels best about themselves overall?” Steven J. Heine asked the question while conducting a survey through the psychology department at the University of British Columbia. He observed and questioned men and women from countries around the world concerning their reflection in a mirror. His findings were surprising. It seems that Japanese subjects reported higher self esteem when they could see their own image in a mirror while Americans reported lower self esteem when they looked at their reflections.

The mirrors lowered the self esteem of those raised in individualistic societies because, researchers propose, those subjects see themselves through the eyes of others. How will someone else view me? This mind-set is generally more critical because we can’t read each other’s minds. Those subjects raised in group societies where the mass takes precedence over the individual tend to find more value in themselves when they can internalize themselves being part of the whole. This group mentality can be much less critical because individuals tend to see themselves less as a stand alone entity to be judged.

The second survey was done in a room with a wide-screen TV and snacks similar to those in a movie theater. Women were invited to eat what they wanted while watching a movie that featured a female surfer. Researchers were monitoring the amount of snacks (none of them healthy) the women ate while watching. The group was split and the results were very distinct.

The group was a mix of women who were chronic dieters and those who generally did not monitor their intake of food. The dieters ate little or no snacks and the others enjoyed quite a bit of the available food. When questioned about their behavior, the dieters admitted to feeling worse about themselves while watching a female in a bathing suit on the wide-screen because the screen made her look heavier and wider. The group who were not dieters reported feeling better about themselves when they saw a wider actress in a bathing suit who was still seen as beautiful. They felt more comfortable in their own bodies and more comfortable eating the junk food.

Who would have guessed that we are so affected by every cultural nuance that surrounds us? These studies give us a place to start when we struggle with our own self esteem. First, realize that others are most likely feeling as self conscious as you are, so give yourself a break and know that they are more worried about how you see them than how they see you. Second, you give off your own beauty vibe. The girls felt more comfortable about themselves because they felt a wider girl was seen a pretty by other so they must be seen that way too. The bottom line – enjoy being you!

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