Experimental Approaches to Body Image, Representation and Perception

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Editorial

07 December 2021

Editorial: Experimental Approaches to Body Image, Representation and Perception

Kevin R. Brooks

,

Jason Bell

,

Lynda G. Boothroyd

and

Ian D. Stephen

2,186 views

1 citations

Editors

4

Kevin R. Brooks

Macquarie University

Lynda Boothroyd

Durham University

University of Western Australia

Nottingham Trent University

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The size and shape of the human bodies around us carry crucial information about the underlying properties of their owners, such as their gender, health, dominance, attractiveness, and quality as a potential mate. For some, the size and shape of one’s own body is a source of concern, dissatisfaction, and even obsession, especially as a consequence of comparisons between their own figure and that of others. In some individuals, the perception of body size and shape can be significantly biased, such as when those diagnosed with eating disorders overestimate their body size or those with muscle dysmorphia or obesity underestimate their bulk.

Despite the importance of the body as a stimulus, relatively little is known about the mechanisms responsible for the perception and the mental representation of the human physique. In addition, the implications of the underlying processes for attitudes towards one’s own body (e.g. dissatisfaction) and others’ bodies (e.g. attractiveness, dominance, etc.) are not well understood. Many early investigations relied principally on descriptive and correlational methods to uncover the circumstances under which the likelihood of body image distortion was increased. However, more recent studies employing experimental and quasi-experimental designs have helped to rapidly advance our knowledge of the mechanisms and causal factors underlying normal and disordered body perception.

Given the growing body of experimental research focused on body image, representation, and perception, this Research Topic aims to extend these advances, providing important insights into the mechanisms underlying normal and disordered body processing through visual perception and other senses. In this special issue, we welcome empirical contributions from sub-disciplines including (but not limited to) perceptual, cognitive, evolutionary, social and clinical psychology, employing rigorous methods and robust statistical analysis. Submissions may come in the form of Original Research articles (including Brief Research Reports) presenting quantitative data, Reviews (Systematic or “Mini”), and General Commentary/Opinion articles.

The size and shape of the human bodies around us carry crucial information about the underlying properties of their owners, such as their gender, health, dominance, attractiveness, and quality as a potential mate. For some, the size and shape of one’s own body is a source of concern, dissatisfaction, and even obsession, especially as a consequence of comparisons between their own figure and that of others. In some individuals, the perception of body size and shape can be significantly biased, such as when those diagnosed with eating disorders overestimate their body size or those with muscle dysmorphia or obesity underestimate their bulk.

Despite the importance of the body as a stimulus, relatively little is known about the mechanisms responsible for the perception and the mental representation of the human physique. In addition, the implications of the underlying processes for attitudes towards one’s own body (e.g. dissatisfaction) and others’ bodies (e.g. attractiveness, dominance, etc.) are not well understood. Many early investigations relied principally on descriptive and correlational methods to uncover the circumstances under which the likelihood of body image distortion was increased. However, more recent studies employing experimental and quasi-experimental designs have helped to rapidly advance our knowledge of the mechanisms and causal factors underlying normal and disordered body perception.

Given the growing body of experimental research focused on body image, representation, and perception, this Research Topic aims to extend these advances, providing important insights into the mechanisms underlying normal and disordered body processing through visual perception and other senses. In this special issue, we welcome empirical contributions from sub-disciplines including (but not limited to) perceptual, cognitive, evolutionary, social and clinical psychology, employing rigorous methods and robust statistical analysis. Submissions may come in the form of Original Research articles (including Brief Research Reports) presenting quantitative data, Reviews (Systematic or “Mini”), and General Commentary/Opinion articles.

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Editors

Kevin R. Brooks

Macquarie University

Lynda Boothroyd

Durham University

University of Western Australia

Nottingham Trent University

Impact

187,185 Total views

155,249 Article views

25,291 Article downloads

6,645 Topic views

Published In

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Frontiers in Psychology

Cognition, Cognitive Science, Health Psychology, Perception Science, Psychology for Clinical Settings, Psychopathology, Eating Behavior

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Psychopathology

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Frontiers in Neuroscience

Perception Science

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Frontiers in Nutrition

Eating Behavior

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