Cyber sexy: electronic game play and perceptions of attractiveness among college-aged men

The current study was conducted to determine if electronic gaming among males is related to body image, formation of body ideals, and appraisals of female attractiveness. A sample of 219 college-aged men (age 18-32) completed a variety of measures that assessed their game play habits, their percepti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Body image 2008-12, Vol.5 (4), p.365-374
Main Authors: Wack, Elizabeth R, Tantleff-Dunn, Stacey
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Attitude
Beauty
Body Image
Body Mass Index
Culture
Fantasy
Gender Identity
Humans
Male
Muscle Strength
Personal Satisfaction
Socialization
Stereotyping
Students - psychology
Video Games
Young Adult
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Summary:The current study was conducted to determine if electronic gaming among males is related to body image, formation of body ideals, and appraisals of female attractiveness. A sample of 219 college-aged men (age 18-32) completed a variety of measures that assessed their game play habits, their perceptions of their own attractiveness, and perceptions of women's attractiveness. Results indicated that participants' ratings of women's attractiveness varied across the genres of game most frequently played but was not related to age of commencement or frequency of electronic game play. Additionally, frequency of play and age of commencement of game play were not related to self-perceptions of physical attractiveness, the association of positive attributes with muscularity, or the drive to become more muscular. Men's appearance satisfaction and valuation of muscularity was related to the extent to which they compare their own appearance to that of the characters featured in their electronic games. The results indicate that, unlike other forms of media, electronic gaming may have a weaker relationship to decreased appearance satisfaction or the formation of unrealistic standards of attractiveness.
ISSN:1740-1445
1873-6807
DOI:10.1016/j.bodyim.2008.06.003