The Visual Experience
ARTH117 - Fall 2005
Christopher L. C. E. Witcombe

SCHEDULE

REQUIREMENTS

RESOURCES

SELF-IMAGE

  • Plastic Surgery
      Each of us has a "self-image," a perception of how we believe we look to others. People who are happy with their self-image are more likely to be self-confident, effective in work and social situations, and comfortable in their relationships. Those who are dissatisfied tend to be self-conscious, inhibited, and less effective in activities.

      Plastic surgery -- whether cosmetic or reconstructive -- encourages and promotes a strong, positive self-image. Even a small change on the outside can create an extraordinary change on the inside, allowing an individual's self-confidence to flourish.

  • Self-Image - What is it?
      Self image is how you see yourself in relation to others. This may be how you see yourself physically or it may be more about the idea you have of yourself which could also be called self concept. It is very important as it affects your self esteem and confidence.

      Self image includes:

      • What you think you look like physically
      • How your personality comes across
      • What kind of person you think you are
      • What you think others think of you
      • How much you like yourself or you think others like you

  • Self-Image
      Developing a healthy self-image in a society that stresses perfection isn't easy. Advertisers flood the airwaves with young models whose imperfections have been airbrushed out of existence. The standard is impossibly high - if supermodels and actresses resort to eating disorders to control their weight, is there any hope for the rest of us? Where is the line between maintaining health - both physical and mental - and pursuing the impossible? It's time to recognize false standards, set realistic goals, learn to accept who we are and get on with living.

  • Self Image: The Fantasy, The Reality
      What is "the perfect body," and why does everyone want it? In the Mix digs deep into the American obsession with body image, which is driving teens to diet, use steroids, develop dangerous eating disorders and create a lifelong cycle of low self-esteem. "Self Image: The Fantasy, The Reality" gets behind the images we see on television and in films, magazines, and billboards, and aims to help you understand what's real and what's not.

      Current Statistics:

      1. The average American woman wears a size 10 or larger (not a 2 or 3, like your average model).
      2. Twenty years ago, the average model weighed 8% less than the average woman; today, models weigh 23% less.
      3. 400-600 advertisements bombard us everyday in magazines, on billboards, on TV, adn in newspapers. One in eleven has a direct message about beauty...and that's not even counting the indirect messages.
      4. 60% of high school girls with eating disorders or related symptoms do not believe they need counseling.
      5. Eighty percent of 10-year-old American girls diet.
      6. Between 1996 and 1998, teenage cosmetic surgeries nearly doubled, from 13,699 to 24,623. (Source: American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons)
      7. One million teenage boys have eating disorders, and as many as 400,000 are steroid users.
      8. Steroid use can cause acne, lower a guy's sperm count and make the testicles smaller.
  • Self-Image (Wikipedia)