Implicit Anti-Fat Bias as a predictor of Low Body Satisfaction: Do Males and Females Differ in Levels of Body Satisfaction and Implicit Weight Bias?

Murray, Kathryn (2017) Implicit Anti-Fat Bias as a predictor of Low Body Satisfaction: Do Males and Females Differ in Levels of Body Satisfaction and Implicit Weight Bias? Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between levels of implicit weight bias and levels of body satisfaction. Additionally, this study aimed to investigate whether there are gender differences in levels of body satisfaction, and whether there are gender differences in levels of implicit weight bias. There were 35 participants in this study (15 males and 20 females). The Participants were aged between 18 and 29. Each participant was examined on an individual basis throughout the course of one month. Participants were asked to complete an Implicit Associations Test (Weight IAT-bodies) to measure levels of implicit weight bias and the Body Image Satisfaction Scale (BISS) to measure levels of body satisfaction. Hypothesis 1 stated that lower levels of body satisfaction were related to higher levels of implicit weight bias against overweight individuals. Hypothesis 1 was not supported as results showed that there was an extremely weak, negative relationship. Hypothesis 2 stated that females score lower on levels of body satisfaction than males. Hypothesis 2 was supported as data from the study showed that females scored lower than males on levels of body satisfaction. Hypothesis 3 stated that females score higher on levels of implicit weight bias than males. There was no significant difference found between males and females in levels of implicit weight bias. However, as hypothesized, females scored higher than males on levels of implicit weight bias. It is recommended that future research obtains a larger sample in order to possibly find a significant difference between males and females. These findings also suggest that the relationship between high levels of implicit weight bias and low levels of body satisfaction may only exist among obese individuals. Findings from the current study have implications for knowledge of gender differences in levels of body satisfaction. Additionally, findings from the current study contribute towards research into levels of implicit weight bias among 18-29 year olds and how it can affect levels of body satisfaction. These findings also further highlight the prevalence of implicit weight bias.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	08 Nov 2017 11:22
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2017 11:22
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/2773

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