The current study examined whether intrasexual competition for career success may contribute to body dissatisfaction and worse eating attitudes among achievement oriented college-aged women. In order to examine this aim participants viewed pictures of other women who varied in terms of weight and career success. Compared to participants low on status aspiration, participants high on status aspiration reported greater body dissatisfaction and ineffectiveness after being exposed to the thin, successful targets. However, status aspiring participants did not report greater drive for thinness, maturity fears, or bulimic symptoms. Hypotheses regarding the impact of weight status and success on perceptions of target career accomplishment and body size were supported. Specifically, thin, successful targets were rated as more accomplished in their careers than overweight, successful targets. Participants also judged successful, overweight targets to be thinner than unsuccessful, overweight targets. It is hoped that these findings will shed light on ways career women can pursue success without jeopardizing their health. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Degree Awarded: Fall Semester, 2008. / Date of Defense: May 19, 2008. / Career, Evolutionary Theory, Intrasexual Competition, Achievement Motivation, Status Aspiration, Body Satisfaction, Eating Disorders / Includes bibliographical references. / Thomas E. Joiner, Jr., Professor Directing Thesis; Jeanette Taylor, Committee Member; Jon Maner, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_168490 |
| Contributors | Smith, April Rose (authoraut), Joiner, Thomas E. (professor directing thesis), Taylor, Jeanette (committee member), Maner, Jon (committee member), Department of Psychology (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
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