Development of Self-Identity through Media-Influenced Body Image

Introduction

The formation of self-identity is a major part of psychosocial development according to numerous researchers and scholars (Lumen, 2021). Erikson developed a model of psychosocial development in which every stage is defined by a conflict that must be overcome (McLeod, 2018). For adolescents that conflict is between identity formation and role confusion. Others, such as Adams and Marshall (1996) noted that identity is brought about as a result of both personal and social phenomena. Bandura (2018) observed that the three main factors that influence how people think about themselves and how they act are peers, groups and media. The development of self-identity through media-influence body image is thus an area deserving of some focus in identity research. This paper examines the relevant psychological theories and concepts that apply, discusses current research on the matter, and shows that this topic is important because of the major influence media has and how that influence impacts the way people think about their bodies and identities in sometimes harmful ways.

Relevant Psychological Theories and Concepts

Eriksons psychosocial model of development consists of 8 stages, with each stage of development being defined by the developmental task that individual must encounter in order to move on to the next stage. Infants, for example, deal with the trust vs. mistrust task. Elderly people deal with integrity vs. despair. For adolescents, the main conflict is identity vs. role confusion. Between the ages of 12 and 18, youths are forming a sense of who and what they are. Media plays a big role in how they see themselves, according to Bandura (2018).

Other theories that apply to this discussion or Carl Rogers theory of self and Maslows theory of human motivation. Rogers theory of self is based on two distinct views of the selfthe ideal self and the actual self. It is a person-centered theory and is rooted in the idea that the best vantage point for understanding behavior is from the internal frame of reference of the individual (p. 495). Understanding what the individual is going through, how the individual sees himself, and what the individual wants to be is central to developing a sense of the person. For Maslow (1943), human beings cannot reach their full potential (self-actualization) until they have lower level needs met first, including the need for esteem and love. From the perspective of his hierarchy of needs, it is evident that people trying to develop a self-identity need a strong satisfaction of esteem and love in order to become self-actualized, or firm in their sense of who they are.

From these perspectives, one can see that people struggling with their identity by way of dealing with media-influenced body image, are trying to conform to idealized images, often to their own detriment. They may think that if they conform to a media-influence body image that is idealized they will obtain the esteem they seek and know who they are. But often they are conflicted and their ideal self does not align with their actual self, and this creates problems, as Rogers points out.

Current Research

Current research notes that more and more young people are turning to media to guide the way when it comes to developing self-identity (Malbon, 2020). Kilbourne (2010) notes that the idealized media-influenced body images can have harmful effects on young women, who can develop disorders as they seek to attain the unrealistic body image that they are presented in media. Eating-disorders, phobias, and depression can become problems for them. Kearney (2010) likewise states that media are sites of considerable ideological negotiation and contestation, that is, sites of struggle over meaning and values (p. 3). This negotiation can be seen in popular press magazines like Cosmopolitan, which often presents women with a body image example.

Malbon (2020), writing for Cosmopolitan, explains that body image is the picture that people form in their minds...…liberating influence for women, which teaches them to embrace their sexuality and use it for empowerment purposes.

The problem is that women are not the only ones affected. Men are influenced, too. And the body image of media is often distorted through photoshopping, lighting, and camera angles: in short, it is never as real as it is portrayed. So what is being sold to people in the media is an unrealistic body image, and people use this ideal body image to help them shape their own identities. But because their identity is being shaped by something unreal, they are not having their actual real needs met, and they are not reaching true self-actualization or overcoming the identity vs. role confusion conflict described by Erikson.

To develop a positive identity, a positive body image is importantbut when the media drives people to feel that they need to have an unreal body image it becomes a problem. On social media, more people are encouraging body acceptance by posting pictures of themselves that are not touched up or airbrushed: they are pictures that show flaws and all. This promotes acceptance and happiness, as it shows to them that they are not afraid to be shamed for not being perfect; and it shows others that they should not feel ashamed of their imperfections either.

Conclusion

Self-identity is an important part of growing up, as Erikson shows. Todays media-influenced culture makes it difficult to achieve, however, when unrealistic body image is presented as normal. Body image can be positive or negative, and when it is positive body image aligns the ideal and the actual self, as Rogers says people must do to be healthy. Positive body image is supported by strong esteem, which facilitates the development of self-actualization and self-identity. To encourage positive body image, people on social media today are embracing body acceptance and posting pictures of themselves that are authentic. Acceptance of the authentic selfbody acceptanceis supported by cognitive development and social support.…