Date of Award
2010
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
The current study extended the tenets of objectification theory to a population considered to be at risk for poor body image--professional dancers. Furthermore, differences in self-objectification and its sequelae due to participation in classical versus contemporary dance companies, styles with differential exposure to objectifying cues, were explored. Forty professional dancers and thirty-nine non-dancers completed measures of objectification and its sequelae. Differences in levels of self-objectification did not fit the predicted pattern, with dancers evidencing lower levels than non-dancers; however body shame levels were elevated among dancers. The proposed model of objectification fit both groups, with body shame mediating the relationship between body surveillance and eating disordered behaviors. Style of one's current company was found to be related to self-objectification and body shame, mediated through exposure to objectifying cues, with classical dancers at greater risk of self-objectification. Results were discussed in terms of potential modifications to dance training.
Recommended Citation
Doyle, David Matthew, "The Mirror Is Not You: Objectification and Eating Disordered Behaviors in Classical and Contemporary Dancers" (2010). Master's Theses. 532.
https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/532
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2010 David Matthew Doyle
