Verified Document

Peer And Media Influences To Article Critique

The interpretation of the data is consistent, but does not totally support the unstated hypothesis that the media as well as peer pressure play a large part in how young girls feel about themselves and their body image. The conclusion they came to was that the media and peers have an influence on young girls and body image and that the media should use more models and women the look normal or like most of the young girls themselves so that eating disorder prevention programs can be more effective. The reality is that only one percent (1%) of the girls showed signs of behavior that was indicative of being affected by their peers and the media. However, a large percentage of this 1% did not show signs of improvement one year after the study.

The researchers received an excellent response rate from those surveyed. However, they have actually done a disservice to the entire study by not being more diverse in sample selection and casting a wider net. In addition to casting a wider net, the results of the research were based solely on responses to the survey. A better and more accurate response to many of the questions on the survey could have been received if the researchers had done interviews (with at least one parent present) or even focus groups. Though not a fact, sometimes with surveys people may not be as truthful as they would be face-to-face. Also, if a person is being interviewed there are certain things the interviewee can do to make the person more relaxed and at ease for more accurate answers.

In a focus group the researchers can use tactics to make the girls open up and feel comfortable around their peers. All it takes is one person to be candid about their experiences and soon others will open up and discuss their true feelings. If the researchers had done more than surveys as well as broadening their selection of participants, they would have received not only a much better, but more accurate response. The researchers state that their study was consistent with one that was done a year ago. In theory this is true, but it still does not mask the fact that there is...

When selection is done in a nonrandom manner, bias occurs (Winship and Mare, 1992, p. 327).
The results that the researchers discovered were that most of the girls were in Tanners stages 2 through 5 (which are not uncommon for young girls at this age). Less than 30% of the girls surveyed had been on a diet and 14% stated they were concerned with their weight. A very small 6% stated that they tried to look like the females they saw in the media and even smaller percentages of the girls stated that being thin or being teased by their peers because of the weight was an issue. These numbers seem hardly cause for alarm and appear to be quite normal. If the percentage of girls stating their desire for thinness or their desire to look like women in the media was higher there might be some cause for alarm.

The basic concept behind this research is good. We know that young children can be affected by images they see in the media which can sometimes lead to behavior such as poor eating habits or strict dieting. However, if the researchers had not been biased in their selection of participants they could have had a more robust research study that did not support the hypothesis. Perhaps the hypothesis should have been clearly stated from the beginning as well as careful selection of participants. Then this study would not seem as skewed and biased as it does.

References

Field, a.E., Camargo, Jr., C.A., Taylor, C.B., Berkey, C.S., Colditz, G.A. (1999). Relation of peer and media influences to the development of purging behaviors among preadolescent and adolescent girls. Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, 153(11), 1184-1189.

Gerhard, T. (2008). Bias: Considerations for research practice. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 65(22), 2159-2168.

Miller, K.D., Rahman, Z.U., Sledge, Jr., G.W. (2001). Selection bias in clinical trials. Breast Disease, 14(1), 31-40.

Winship, C.W., and Mare, R.D. (1992). Models for sample selection bias. Annual Review of Sociology, 18(1),…

Sources used in this document:
References

Field, a.E., Camargo, Jr., C.A., Taylor, C.B., Berkey, C.S., Colditz, G.A. (1999). Relation of peer and media influences to the development of purging behaviors among preadolescent and adolescent girls. Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, 153(11), 1184-1189.

Gerhard, T. (2008). Bias: Considerations for research practice. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 65(22), 2159-2168.

Miller, K.D., Rahman, Z.U., Sledge, Jr., G.W. (2001). Selection bias in clinical trials. Breast Disease, 14(1), 31-40.

Winship, C.W., and Mare, R.D. (1992). Models for sample selection bias. Annual Review of Sociology, 18(1), 327-350.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Media Influence on Society in
Words: 1628 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Paper

Today, the modern media are so thoroughly integrated into our lives that the ubiquitous and instantaneous availability of information means that the media now influence, rather than merely report the news. By the end of the first decade of the 21st century, the modern media have contributed to the outcome of national elections and they have been substantially responsible for the success of political coupes that toppled dictatorships and

How Does the Media Influence Presidential Elections
Words: 2653 Length: 9 Document Type: Research Paper

Table of Contents Abstract 2 Introduction 3 Literature Review 4 Theoretical Discussion and Hypothesis 6 Research Design 6 Type of Research Design and Sampling 6 Temporal and Spatial Scope 7 Unit of Analysis 7 Operationalization of Dependent and Independent Variables 7 Data Collection Instruments and Techniques 8 Data Processing and Testing Techniques 8 Results (Expected) 8 Discussion 9 Works Cited 11 How Does the Media Influence Presidential Elections? Abstract This paper looks at the influence of media on presidential elections by first discussing the first presidential debate

Peers and Parents
Words: 1676 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

Peers and Parental Influence The issue of peer influence and pressure is one which has received considerable attention in recent research on child and adolescent development. There is a growing consensus that peer influence is just as, if not more, important in adolescence than parental guidance. Some researchers claim that peer pressure is more important for aspects of adolescent education than parental influences. As Anita M. Smith, Vice President of The

Media Negatively Effects the Body Image Concerns of Adolescent Girls...
Words: 1518 Length: 4 Document Type: Research Paper

Media Negatively Affects the Body Image Concerns of Adolescent Girls Among adolescent girls, body image concerns are not uncommon. The hypothesis of this paper believes that media negatively affects the body image concerns of adolescent girls. The independent variable is the adolescent girls and the dependent variable is the media. This is because adolescent girls can be affected by a lot of other things when it concerns body image, this can

Peer Pressure in Adolescence the
Words: 3818 Length: 12 Document Type: Term Paper

The findings of this study support the view that the effects of peer pressure are related to earlier processes in childhood. This has led to the recognized research imperative to "...include longitudinal data from both peer and family contexts in studies of trajectories leading to adolescent problem behaviors" (p.45). In other words, the study points to the importance of a more holistic approach to understanding the motivational impetus and

Media Consumption
Words: 4745 Length: 12 Document Type: Essay

media consumption and subsequent behaviour? Profiling the criminal behavior of rampage perpetrators is one of the main areas of focus in the social science research community. Gender, mental health issues, social exclusion, genetic susceptibility or predisposition, and ultimately, violent media, are most of the factors that guide researchers in the field, seeking to develop broader frameworks of understanding rampage violence. Over the past three decades, 78 cases of public mass

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now