The influence of media on implicit weight bias

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to determine if exposure to media that exhibits weight bias increases implicit anti-fat attitudes using an objective assessment of emotional response to obesity cues. Participants completed a baseline affect modulated startle paradigm during which they viewed photos of obese and non-obese people while startle responses were elicited. Participants were then randomly assigned to view one of two media clips taken from a popular television show. One clip stigmatized obesity; the other did not stigmatize obesity. After viewing the clips, participants completed a second affect modulated startle paradigm during which they viewed pictures of obese and non-obese people while startle responses were elicited. Fear of Fat was found to be associated with the impact of the clip on startle response while viewing photos. There were no other significant findings. Limitations of the study and areas for future research are discussed.