Human own body is the first thing that individuals can relate to as an entity since they are born. From the very first day, norms and values are defined for the body. Each culture and society have specific values and therefore, the body becomes the expression of the society according to the norms that have been inflected on it. It has always been directly or indirectly communicated to members of each society how to deal with their body, how to perceive and judge it, and how to modify it. Gender also plays a vital role when defining body image and its relevant concepts.
Psychology provides some helpful terms and dimensions that can be used to map society’s influence. There are conceptualizations that make certain body-related phenomena accessible. The central concepts such as body perception, body image, and body satisfaction are examined not only from systematic theoretical perspectives but also a-theoretically.
Whatever the influences on the body are, we consider this topic to be a central theme of the human sciences and thus, of psychology. If we understand more about these social influences, we could potentially have a positive impact in our circles of influence as well.
Specifically, with this Research Topic we aim to collect knowledge and expertise to understand these influences on the body and to collect ideas about how to give young people control over their bodies and their body image.
• What does it mean to be satisfied with one's own body?
• What is adequate body satisfaction?
• What are cultural particularities, that is: specific cultural influences on the emergence of body satisfaction or dissatisfaction?
• What role does the macro-level society play here?
• How should a society that wants to reduce the emergence of body dissatisfaction be like? How exactly at school, at home, etc.?
• How can gender/gender-roles affect the body image/body perception of individuals in different cultures?
• Why do some cultures put emphasis on the body-related norms more than the others?
If you think you have an interesting contribution on this topic, with or without your own empirical research, you are welcome to send us a short abstract about your planned contribution. Each contribution is expected to explain and illustrate influences of culture and society on the body and end with reflections about the relevance of the contribution to educational fields.
Human own body is the first thing that individuals can relate to as an entity since they are born. From the very first day, norms and values are defined for the body. Each culture and society have specific values and therefore, the body becomes the expression of the society according to the norms that have been inflected on it. It has always been directly or indirectly communicated to members of each society how to deal with their body, how to perceive and judge it, and how to modify it. Gender also plays a vital role when defining body image and its relevant concepts.
Psychology provides some helpful terms and dimensions that can be used to map society’s influence. There are conceptualizations that make certain body-related phenomena accessible. The central concepts such as body perception, body image, and body satisfaction are examined not only from systematic theoretical perspectives but also a-theoretically.
Whatever the influences on the body are, we consider this topic to be a central theme of the human sciences and thus, of psychology. If we understand more about these social influences, we could potentially have a positive impact in our circles of influence as well.
Specifically, with this Research Topic we aim to collect knowledge and expertise to understand these influences on the body and to collect ideas about how to give young people control over their bodies and their body image.
• What does it mean to be satisfied with one's own body?
• What is adequate body satisfaction?
• What are cultural particularities, that is: specific cultural influences on the emergence of body satisfaction or dissatisfaction?
• What role does the macro-level society play here?
• How should a society that wants to reduce the emergence of body dissatisfaction be like? How exactly at school, at home, etc.?
• How can gender/gender-roles affect the body image/body perception of individuals in different cultures?
• Why do some cultures put emphasis on the body-related norms more than the others?
If you think you have an interesting contribution on this topic, with or without your own empirical research, you are welcome to send us a short abstract about your planned contribution. Each contribution is expected to explain and illustrate influences of culture and society on the body and end with reflections about the relevance of the contribution to educational fields.
