Hollywood and the Culture of Eating Disorders
PSY 2306 Spring 2018
MIDTERM PAPER
Texts: BODY SHOTS: Hollywood and the Culture of Eating Disorders
Refer to Introduction through Chapter 2 for definitions of media exposure effects, screen identification, screen idealization, and influence of celebrity culture.
EATING DISORDERS (Keel) Refer to Ch. 5 for review of media and eating disorders.
I. Select one of the popular film genres discussed in Body Shots Chapters 3-6: action blockbuster, makeover movie, comedy/“rom-com” (romantic comedy) or “teen pic.”) Apply the media literacy techniques used in these chapters to analyze a film of your choice in terms of the following:
a. What message does the film convey about the body which could affect the body image formation of the spectator? (See Media Literacy lectures).
b. How might it specifically affect the eating and exercise behavior of the spectator?
c. Given what you have learned about risk factors for eating disorders, who would be most vulnerable to the effects you note in parts a. and b. above? (key factors: body ideal, body dissatisfaction, body stigmatization and macro/micro causality factors).
Be sure to support your answer with your own observations about the film's construction:
Narrative structure (plot); casting; costumes and lighting; camerawork, soundtrack, etc.
(60 points)
II. Select a film, television show, or video which gave you an “Alternative Vision” (see Chapter 7 in Body Shots). Discuss how it succeeded in providing you with a healthier model for body image and your own eating/exercise behavior and attitudes toward body shape and size. You may also refer here to media literacy techniques and how you developed your own “oppositional” critical view of a popular media production which protected you from negative media exposure effects.
(30 points)
Remaining 10 points for clarity of organization and writing, supporting all answers with specific references to the narrative structure (plot), camerawork, setting and costumes, casting, soundtrack of films discussed, as well as comparing it to the relevant movies analyzed in the text.
Length: 5-6 pages, double-spaced
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