The Role of Self in Third-Person Effects About Body Image

This study examines the perceived effect of idealized media images on self and classmates for three levels of outcome undesirability: perception of ideal body weight, effect on self-esteem, and likelihood of developing an eating disorder. A significant third-person effect was observed, which widened as the outcome increased in social undesirability. Those with high self-esteem exhibited stronger third-person effect than those with low self-esteem. The overall pattern of findings suggests that two related but distinct processes might be involved in the third-person effect: (a) a general process associated with self-esteem, which explains perceived effect of media both on self and others; and (b) a specific process tied to situational personal vulnerability, which explains perceived effect on self, but does not explain perceived effect on others.