The Effects of Picture Presentation on Male Body Shame and Muscle Dysmorphia

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether picture presentation influenced men’s experienced body shame or Muscle Dysmorphia symptomatology, and whether there was a relationship between body shame and Muscle Dysmorphia. Participants were 112 men attending Western Kentucky University. Participants completed the Body Shame Questionnaire and Muscle Dysmorphia Inventory. Participants were randomly assigned to either view eight photographs of average men or eight photographs of muscular men. After viewing the photographs, the participants completed the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale and the Muscle Appearance Satisfaction Scale. Although there was a trend, results indicate that men who view photographs of muscular men do not experience more body shame than those who view photographs of average men. In the sample, 63.5% reported that they were dissatisfied with their bodies, 69% with their chest size, 69% with their own body build, 65% with their arms, and 63% were dissatisfied with their own abdomen. Results indicate that viewing photographs of muscular men does not increase one’s symptomatology of MD. However, there was a positive correlation between body shame and muscle dysmorphia symptoms for both men who viewed photographs of muscular men and those who viewed photographs of average men