Date of Award
6-2001
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Barbara K. Sholley
Second Advisor
Dr. Scott Allison
Third Advisor
Dr. Catherine Bagwell
Abstract
Group polarization, social norms, and misperceptions of normative body weight were evaluated in sorority and non-sorority (comparison) undergraduate women at the University of Richmond. The participants completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-2, the Weight Locus of Control Scale, the Rosenburg Self-esteem Scale, the Multidimensional Body- Self Relations Questionnaire, and several self-report questions. Sorority and comparison participants significantly misperceived normative body weight. One sorority differed significantly from the other groups on misperception of normative body weight and the Eating Disorder Inventory-2. The comparison group had significantly lower scores than the three sororities on the Self-Esteem Scale. The four instruments did not significantly predict normative body weight misperception. Because the misperception of ideal body weight is so pervasive, a social norms campaign advertising normative body weight could be very successful.
Recommended Citation
Cox, Kelly Sears, "Group polarization and social norms on normative body weight misperception and eating disordered symptomology" (2001). Master's Theses. 643.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/masters-theses/643