RUcore Resource Object
RUcore Resource Object
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TitleBody image and the acoustic startle reflex
NameTaylor, Katie Bannon (author), Wilson, G. Terence (chair), Contrada, Richard J. (internal member), McCarthy, Danielle (internal member), Curtin, John (outside member), Rutgers University, Graduate School - New Brunswick,
Degree Date2011-10
Date Created2011
SubjectPsychology,
Body image in women,
Startle reaction
DescriptionThe premise of this work is that body image is a phobic stimulus, and reaction to it may be measured using an acoustic startle reflex (ASR) paradigm. ASR is modulated by fear and body image may provoke a fearful, phobic-like response. This study aimed to determine differences in the modification of ASR produced by viewing self-body images in women with high shape and weight concerns (HSWC; n = 25) versus women with low shape and weight concerns (LSWC; n= 28) assessed with the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Secondly, this project aimed to determine differences in subjective ratings of body image. There were significant differences between groups in subjective ratings of self-body image. There were no between group differences in ASR to self-body images. Both groups of women exhibited attenuated ASR to self-face and body images, relative to neutral images, possibly indicating an effect of increased attention. Both groups demonstrated ASR potentiation to negative images. HSWC women also viewed self-body images significanly longer than LSWC women. The discussion focuses on whether ASR is a phobic stimulus for women with body image concerns and whether there are self-attention effects that overide physiological affect measurement.
NotePh. D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
NoteIncludes vita
Noteby Katie Bannon Taylor
Genretheses
Persistent URLhttp://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10001600001.ETD.000063666
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.