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The Impact of Body Emphasizing Video Games on Body Image Concerns in Men and Women

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Abstract

Two studies were conducted to determine if playing a video game that emphasized the body would increase negative body-image. Both studies [study 1 (N = 51); college-aged males from the Midwestern USA; and study 2 (N = 32); college-aged females from the Midwestern USA] had participants complete body image measures, play a video game that displayed muscular or thin characters for 15 min, and then complete post-game body image measures. Results showed that participants in both studies had significantly lower body esteem after video game play. Further, these findings were independent of the time spent playing video games and body mass index. This suggests that video games have a negative influence on the body-image of players.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Iowa State University, 112 W. Lagomarcino Hall, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Christopher P. Barlett

  2. Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA

    Richard J. Harris

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  1. Christopher P. Barlett
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  2. Richard J. Harris
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Correspondence to Christopher P. Barlett.

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Barlett, C.P., Harris, R.J. The Impact of Body Emphasizing Video Games on Body Image Concerns in Men and Women. Sex Roles 59, 586–601 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-008-9457-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-008-9457-8

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