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1Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
Plus Size Women and Their Portrayal in the Media
Kwanesia Nikole Solomon Ellis
Valdosta State University
2Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
Abstract
The media plays an important role in the way that people feel about themselves, as well
as the images around them(Lukaszewski,1992). Data collected from six in-depth interviews
revealed that stereotypes and generalizations that college students have towards plus sized
women are majority negative and that plus size women are shown negatively on social and
traditional media and that the portrayals were sometimes accurate and sometimes inaccurate.
Implications for the findings, limitations, and areas for future research are discussed
Keywords: Plus Size Women, Social Comparison Theory, Reputation Management
3Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
Introduction
The purpose behind this research is to discover how plus size women are portrayed in the
media. The media plays such a huge role in the self-esteem in women's, and the way that society
views them. According to womenshealth.gov, more than 60% of women are considered plus
size, if this is the case, then why are plus size women poorly represented. Many expect to turn on
the television and see people who look like them, which is not the case for the 60% of plus size
women in America, and the few times that these women do see women who look like them they
are often portrayed negatively and even by men dressed in drag. On being a plus size model,
Hayley Hasselhoff states "Growing up, I never accepted my curves, but when I got the
opportunity to become a plus size model, I was able to appreciate my voluptuous body and love
myself, not only on the outside, but on the inside."
Image will always determine where people stand in society, it determines how you are
looked at, the amount of money you make, and often times the personality type that many people
think you have (Evans, 2003). This does not however always mean that it is true. The goal of this
study is to explore the stereotypes behind plus size women, the way that they are portrayed on
social media as well as traditional forms of media. It is because of those goals these two
questions are posed:
RQ1: How are the stereotypes and generalizations that college students
have towards plus size women expressed positively or negatively?
RQ2: How are plus size women portrayed on traditional media and
social media, and are those portrayals accurate?
4Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
Literature Review
Plus Size Women in the Media
The media plays a large role in framing the way that society sees people, events, and
places. (Meikle & Young, 2012) discuss each of the different forms of media going from
broadcast to stories to theatre, to movies, to social media. Meikle and Young take note that the
media has a huge role in building a reputation for an entire group of people without any
intention, which is where the basis for this research comes from.
Plus size is defined as size 12 and up. (Evans, 2003) Women who fall into this category
are often stereotyped not only by people, but heavily by media as well. The hard thing about
media formed stereotypes is the fact that they are engrained and hard to get out of. People see
them as fact, and Lukaszewski covers that intensively. He makes note that the media puts out
what they want in the ways that they want in hopes to form strong stereotypes, and this is
especially true in the film industry.
According to Barriga, Shapiro, and Jhaveri currently women in films are always shown to
be attractive and alluring in TV commercial and that image has to be the most important thing to
create a high ratio. Chen, Williams, and Hendrickson noticed that both male and female
European Americans were tougher critics than African Americans however when it came to
evaluating overweight models however. They were not in favor of seeing plus size women on the
big screen, and were even prone to not even purchasing products that featured them in them. The
research done in this article also showed that one of the main reason that women are so critical
when it comes to media and other women is because they are judge mental of themselves.
5Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
Women use the media to determine the definition of happiness. The women in the films
who look happy show the statute of where happiness should be (Evans, 2003). The same goes for
social media, when plus size women are shown in movies they aren’t ever the happy successful
women, they are the rude women without title. They are the women who are portrayed by men,
or who are often abused.
There are however multiple social media accounts that praise plus size women, and these
are often owned by gatekeepers who themselves are plus sized women (Pingree, 2013). When
people can control the messages that are sent out, they often send out what they can control, thus
the image can be changed which will possibly be one of the only ways to change the way plus
size women are viewed which in the case of actress Mo’Nique was doing at one point in time.
She had become a plus size women’s advocate (Chen, Williams, Hendrickson).
Theoretical Perspective
This research be using the Social comparison theory as discussed by Sedar. It will be
used to discuss how media actually effects the way women in fact feel about themselves, which
in turn causes the way other women feel about the few plus size women who are in the media.
There are very few plus size women in film, and the ones that are, as discussed by Chen,
Williams, and Hendrickson are all rude, aggressive, desexualized, and mummified. Research has
shown that women compare themselves to these women and because of that have to try their
hardest to not be like those women.
It’s through the social comparison theory that l be working with the self-evaluation
maintenance model. Women use the images that the media portrays to uplift or lower
themselves. This is called high self-esteem or low self-esteem comparison. This theory will more
6Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
closely work with the research because the negative images portrayed against plus size women in
the media gives women a reason to not want to be plus size.
It gives women a social comparison in the media to want to fit into the standard that they
are building. The media is telling society what is right and what is wrong, what should be and
what should not be. They may not be telling it straight forward, but they tell it in the amount of a
certain type of people they display or according to Williams, Hendrickenson, and Chen the
“Mammy-Type” that they are displaying, they show you what you never what to become.
Methods
Participants
The participants used will be six Valdosta State University students, three male and three
female. Each from different backgrounds, and who all have different physical features, they are
all interested in different genres of films and social media. This is beneficial because this helps to
eliminate potential biases toward potential forms of media. The participants were all chosen
using the snowball effect. Participant one was chosen at random, and he was asked to
recommend someone else who he would consider interested in something different than he was.
This is the way that the rest of the participants will be asked as well.
All of the participants are students at Valdosta State University, and are either juniors or
seniors and will all remain confidential. The participants ranged in ages from 21-25 and were
interviewed in quiet one on one settings. They were explained the basics of the research prior to
the discussion, and were told that it was okay to be extremely honest and that if they had any
personal biases regarding the topic they did not have to push them aside when it came to
answering the questions, because using them would be beneficial to the results that would later
be found.
7Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
Interview Design
The qualitative interview design that was chosen for this research was the general
interview guide approach based open research done by Creswell in 2007 and updated by Turner
in 2010. The general interview guide approach was chosen because it is structured, but allows for
flexibility.
The purpose behind the general interview guide allowed the researcher to build a rapport
with each of the six participants before they began the interview in a relaxed and informal
manner so that they were able to ask follow up and probing questions that would better fit the
scenarios. This was very useful in the later questions. According to McNamara (2009), the
strength of the general interview guide approach is the ability of the researcher “…to ensure that
the same general areas of information are collected from each interviewee; this provides more
focus than the conversational approach, but still allows a degree of freedom and adaptability in
getting information from the interviewee.”
Data Design Cycle
When it came to collecting the data, with each participant, the data was transcribed as
each participant spoke. There is a written interview guide which was used with each participant
to outline and lead each individual interview. (see appendix 1).
In order to analysis the data that was received, the questions and answers between the
genders were compared. There seemed to be a variety of answers, which will be discussed in the
results, but overall there seemed to be an overall saturation of negative views. Each participant
8Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
gave the research informed consent and had the chance to refuse participation. This experiment
had a very small harm factor.
The codes were developed by looking for repeating data in the results. The interview
transcripts were reviewed for saturation in answers in stereotypes.
Results
“I don’t understand how American can only show skinny women on television and
expect people to not think that being a plus size woman is a bad thing” one participant states
during the one on one interviews. Statements such as these seemed to be pretty consistent
throughout the researcher’s notes and at that point saturation was reached. six things were
noticed during the coding of the interviews, (1)the men were much more uncomfortable talking
to a woman about plus size women,(2)the first 4 words that popped into the participants heads
when they heard the word plus size more than 80% of the time was a negative stereotype, (3)the
participants felt like the stereotypes that are portrayed on social media and in the media are false,
none of the six participants could name any current plus size models, but could give descriptors,
or had confused body language, (4) many of the plus size actresses or models that were named
every participant made sure to note that they were no longer plus sized.
RQ1
Six participants were asked “What is your definition of plus size?” The answers ranged
from; “interesting”, more than half of the people said “heavy-set” or “over 200lbs”, there was a
unanimous decision that a definition of plus size was “overweight.” Two of the three female
participants did state that one definition of plus size was “confident”, these were the only
positive definitions given during that entire question.
9Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
The male participants each seemed to have a harder time talking with a female
interviewer during the initial interview especially when giving negative answers, but gave them
quietly with tense body language. Other words that came to many participants head when they
heard the word plus size was “bigger-boned” and “laughs”, when the interviewer asked the
participant to elaborate on the meaning of the word laughs, he stated that “when I say laughs, it’s
because people don’t really take big girls seriously a lot of the time, their just kind of there.
Every so often you will find one that is cute for a big girl, but for the most part they are just sort
of goofy.” Although this is a generalization (Barriga, Shapiro, & Jhaveri, 2009) once it is
engrained in someone’s mind, it does in fact become there reality.
The stereotypes and generalizations that college students had towards plus size women
gave were negative, thus making RQ1 correct. The men showed immense uncomfort when
giving the negative answers, but they were assured that their identities would remain hidden.
RQ2
The media has a direct influence on the way that the public feels about a topic,
(Lukaszewski, 1992). Traditional media was explained to the participants as anything from
television shows, advertisements, radio, or news. Social media was explained as Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram, etc. RQ2 looked to explore the image portrayal of plus size women in the
media, and if the people who saw them found them to be correct.
Each of the participants were asked about their favorite models and actresses, and a few
questions later they were asked if they could name their favorite plus size models and actresses.
The confidence that each participant had in their previous answers waivered.
Five out of six participants that were interviewed before they were able to give an
answered said something along the lines of “I can’t think of one.” Or “I’m not sure.” Or “I know
10Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
what movie she is in, and her face is in my head.” Or “You know that movie that….” None of
these were any statements that were said when asked “Who are you favorite models?” or “Who
are your favorite actresses?”
Four out of participants named a person and proceeded to say “But she’s not plus sized
anymore.” This is significant to consider, because where does this place that person because
older shows and episodes of them are still being aired.
This shows a significant bias in the way that all participants regardless of gender see plus
size women are portrayed. They are often seen on television and modeling, but the participants
could not recognize them by name although they could by image. This was not a problem when
asked about “traditional” models and actresses.
Each participant was asked how do they feel about the way plus sized women are
portrayed on both social media and traditional forms of media. The word “negative” was used in
each interview except for one, however each woman also in some form said that some people on
various social media mediums were plus size models or only posted positive uplifting plus size
confidence quotes. Two of the three males that were interviewed stated that “low-confidence” is
something that is seen a lot on social medium forums when it comes to the way that plus size
women are displayed on social media.
When asked if they agreed with the way that plus size women were portrayed on social
media two out of six stated that sometimes they agree, while the rest said that no they don’t
agree, it all depends on the woman. “Size doesn’t equal the person. Those people are funny. Plus
size girls are the funniest people I know though.” One participant stated, agreeing and
disagreeing with the stereotype in one statement alone.
11Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
There was a pause and hesitation in four out of six participants when asked about
traditional media, but that were all in compliance that when it comes to television plus size
women are not taken serious. They made note that plus size women are seen as comical, or only
seen in ads as the before picture, or as how you don’t want to be. There was only one male who
used positive characteristics for the television stereotypes, the stereotypes that he used were
“courageous and confident.”
“The stereotypes aren’t true, but they aren’t wrong. They have to come from
somewhere right?” one of the male participants stated during his interview. This is critical to
what has come out of this research. That is showing that some of the stereotypes may be correct,
and some may be incorrect, but they are based on the individual. “Each person is different, and
you can’t judge everybody from one person.” One female participant stated.
Discussion
This study explored plus size women in the media and the stereotypes that are often
associated with them. College students expressed overwhelming amounts of negative stereotypes
when it came to plus size women. The definition of a plus size woman was one of a negative
culture, which according to Webster is above a size 12. Research shows that more than 56% of
Americans women are overweight (Barriga, Shapiro, & Jhaveri, 2009).
This research is of high salience because stereotyping and low confidence levels because
of body image is something that effects so many women in today’s society, and it is important to
find out why (Evans, 2003). Past research shows that the media builds the framework for the way
that individuals see society, and because of that individuals who those who are plus size see
themselves as being negative (two of the participants were plus size).
12Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
Past research has found that women take beauty standards and make them fact (Serdar,
2005). This research will be able to contribute to that as well as other past research because it
gives insight into stereotypes of one type of woman, a type of woman that is often forgot about
due to generalizations in the media.
Conclusion
Limitations
This research looked at the different stereotypes and generalizations of plus size women
in the media. It discussed the views of three males and three females of various forms of
traditional and nontraditional media. This could have been missing a male researcher or a non-
female plus sized interviewer so that the participants did not feel intimidated or as if they were
judged by their answers.
A group of college students ages 21-25 was researched, but to get the same information
from an older set as well as a younger set is something that would be beneficial to studies done.
The questions that were answered were the stereotypes and generalizations that college students
have towards college students have towards plus size women and how they were expressed, as
well as the way that plus size women are portrayed on traditional media and social media.
Future Research
The future research that could be done on this topic is focus groups on stereotypes and
body image and where they stem from. It should come from the basics of plus size women and
the stereotypes that the media puts out about them and if the members of the focus group agree
with them or disagree with them. The focus groups can be cross-gender or same gender. These
will be very informational and continue to add to current research as well as this research.
13Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
Appendix 1
Interview Guide
1. Who are your favorite models?
2. Who are your favorite actresses?
3. What is your definition of plus size?
4. What are the first words you think of when you hear the words plus size?
5. Who are your favorite plus size models?
6. Who are your favorite plus size actresses?
7. How do you feel plus size women are portrayed on social media?
a. Do you think they are true?
8. How do you feel plus size women are portrayed on television?
a. Do you think they are true?
9. Do you have any biases (whether pro or con) towards plus size women?
a. Where do they come from?
10. Do you try to avoid becoming the stereotypes of plus size women that the media
portrays?
11. Do the stereotypes have an effect on the type of women you are attracted to? (male)
14Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
Works Cited
Barriga, C. A., Shapiro, M. A., & Jhaveri, R. (2009). Media Context, Female Body Size and
Perceived Realism. Sex Roles, 128-141.
Chen, G. M., Williams, S., Hendrickson, N., & Chen, L. (2012). Male Mammies: A Social-
Comparison Perspective on How Exaggeratedly Overweight Media Portrayals of Madea,
Raputia, and Big Momma Affect How Black Women Feel About Themselves. Mass
Communication and Society , 115-135.
Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches
(2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Gall, M. D., Gall, J. P., & Borg, W. R. (2003).
Evans, P. (2003). If only I were thin like her, maybe I could be happy like her": The self
implications of associating a thin female ideal with life success. Psychology of Women
Quarterly, 209-214.
Lukaszewski, J. E. (1992). Influencing Public Attituides: Direct Communication Strategies That
Reduce The Media's Influence on Public Decesion-Making. Leesburg: Issue Action Publication.
McNamara, C. (2009). General guidelines for conducting interviews. Retrieved October 11,
2014, from http://managementhelp.org/evaluatn/intrview.htm
Meikle, G., & Young, S. (2012). Media Convergence: Networked Digital Media in Everyday
Life. London: Palgrave MacMillian.
Pingree, R., Quenette, A. M., Tchernev, J. M., & Dickinson, T. (2013). Effects of Media
Criticism on Gatekeeping Trust and Implications for Agenda Setting. Journal of Communication,
351-372.
Serdar, K. (2005). Female Body Image and the Mass Media: Perspectives on How Women
Internalize the Ideal Beauty Standard. Westminster Myriad, Spring.
15Running Head: PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
Schultz, N. J., Hoffman, M. F., Fredman, A. J., & Bainbridge, A. L. (2012). The Work and Life
of Young Professionals: Rationale and Strategy for Balance. Qualitative Research Reports In
Communication, 13(1), 44-52. doi:10.1080/17459435.2012.719208
Turner, D. W., III (2010). Qualitative interview design: A practical guide for novice
investigators. The Qualitative Report, 15(3), 754-760. Retrieved from
http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR15-3/qid.pdf
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