Seven points as an estimate of the smallest subjectively experienced decrease in body satisfaction on a one-item Visual Analogue Scale.

Visual Analogue Scales (VASs) are very commonly used to measure short-term effects on state body satisfaction, the in-the-moment subjective evaluation of one's own body. However, VASs lack easily understood metrics for comparing and interpreting the size of different effects, with the result that researchers often conclude that any statistically significant change on these 101-point scales is practically important. In addition to test-retest reliability and construct validity, here we estimate the smallest subjectively experienced difference for a one-item body satisfaction VAS.

High cognitive load during attention to images of models reduces young women's social comparisons: Further evidence against cognitive efficiency.

Mental processes that are conducted frequently can become highly cognitively efficient, meaning they can be carried out while we are doing other tasks (i.e., under high cognitive load).

Social comparisons with media images are cognitively inefficient even for women who say they feel pressure from the media.

The present study investigated whether social comparisons with media images are cognitively efficient (demanding minimal mental effort) or cognitively effortful processes, in a sample of female undergraduate students (N=151) who reported feeling pressure from the media regarding their appearance. Two groups were shown 12 images of thin and attractive female models. One group was asked to memorize a complex 8-digit number during exposure to the images (Cognitively Busy condition), while the other memorized a much simpler number (Free View condition).

The role of similarity, sound and awareness in the appreciation of visual artwork via motor simulation.

One way to increase art appreciation is to create congruency between the actions performed by the artist and the actions performed by the viewer. Leder, Bar, and Topolinski (2012) successfully created such a link by asking participants to make either stroking or stippling motions while viewing stroke-style and pointillist-style paintings. We carried out a direct replication of Leder et al.

Highlighting media modifications: can a television commercial mitigate the effects of music videos on female appearance satisfaction?

Exposure to idealized media portrayals of women induces appearance dissatisfaction in females, in the short term. Interventions that highlight the artificial nature of media portrayals can mitigate this effect. The present research investigated whether a 75 second television commercial, that demonstrates behind-the-scenes techniques used to artificially enhance media models, could be similarly effective.