The Ideal Female Body Image: A Q Approach to the Third-Person Effect

Abstract

The third-person effect was examined using Q methodology. The participants were asked to
sort images of women according to their ideal image and their perception
of others' ideal image. The participants' own ideal Q sort loaded on
one factor, whereas their Q sort representing their perception of
others' ideal image loaded on another. The participants' own body image
differed from their perception of others' ideal body image resembling
the media's portrayal of ultra-thin models. In addition, an intensive
study of a single subject was conducted to examine the influence of
social distance on the third-person effect. The results suggest that
increased social distance reinforces third-person effects.