Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 7, 2025
09:49
Holistic Facial Composite Creation and Subsequent Video Line-up Eyewitness Identification Paradigm
Published on: December 24, 2015
14.3K
"Ur a freakin goddess!": Examining Appearance Commentary on Instagram
Kaitlyn Burnell1, Madeleine J George2, Allycen R Kurup3
1Duke University.
Psychology of Popular Media Culture
|January 10, 2022
Summary
Receiving positive appearance comments on Instagram was common and linked to increased social media awareness about appearance, but not directly to body dissatisfaction. Negative comments showed no association with body image concerns.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Media Studies
- Sociology
Background:
- Highly visual social media platforms like Instagram are increasingly linked to body image concerns.
- Instagram's feedback mechanisms (likes, comments) may influence users' perceptions of their appearance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between appearance commentary on Instagram and body image concerns among college students.
- To analyze the positivity and negativity of appearance-based feedback received on Instagram posts.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 337 college students (average age 20.39).
- Observational coding of appearance commentary (positive/negative) on participants' recent Instagram posts.
- Self-report measures of body image concerns, including self-objectification and body dissatisfaction.
Main Results:
- Positive appearance commentary was frequently received and associated with higher appearance-related social media consciousness and, to a lesser extent, body surveillance.
- No significant associations were found between positive appearance commentary and self-objectification, appearance-contingent self-worth, facial satisfaction, or body dissatisfaction.
- Negative appearance commentary was not linked to any measured body image concerns. Self-portraits were more likely to receive positive commentary, with gender differences observed in comment types.
Conclusions:
- While positive appearance feedback on Instagram is common and increases social media consciousness, it does not appear to directly worsen body image concerns like dissatisfaction or self-objectification in this sample.
- Further longitudinal research is needed to understand the long-term impact of receiving appearance-related feedback on social media platforms.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Impression Management Techniques I: Managing Appearances
20
Appearance is a multidimensional aspect of self-presentation that encompasses observable attributes such as clothing, grooming, speech, and nonverbal behavior. These elements are often strategically managed to align with socially constructed expectations in different settings. For instance, individuals tailor their appearance during job interviews, social gatherings, or athletic events to meet the perceived norms of those environments.Contextual Adaptation and Social SignalsThe research...
20
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
41.1K
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about...
41.1K
01:21Factors Influencing Attraction II: Physical Attraction
18
Physical attractiveness plays a crucial role in shaping interpersonal attraction, influencing first impressions, social interactions, and long-term relationship dynamics. Psychological research consistently demonstrates that attractiveness affects social evaluations and behavioral outcomes in various contexts.Influence on Social InteractionsResearch has shown that individuals perceived as physically attractive often experience preferential treatment in social and professional settings. One...
18
01:30Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
1.2K
A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
1.2K
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.5K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.5K
02:57The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
52.5K
According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
52.5K