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Abstract
Yamamiya, Cash, and Thompson (2006) found that when women
begin to obsess over their bodies and their overall physical
attractiveness, especially when trying to attract the opposite sex,
they begin to form a negative body image about themselves.
However, although research has shown that body image is
Whitney Miller is a senior assessed when attempting to attract the opposite sex, the
Psychology Pre-Medicine relationship between body image and peer pressures influence on
major with a minor in sexual activity has not been shown. Additionally, Whitbeck,
Chemistry from St. Louis, Yoder, Hoyt, and Conger (1999) found that females with higher
MO. After graduating from levels of self-esteem had significantly lower levels of sexual
Xavier, Miller plans to attend activity than those with lower levels of self-esteem. But, nothing
medical or graduate school or
has yet compared body image, peer pressure, and sexual activity.
work for the Federal Bureau of
Investigation. Her research Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of body
interests include marriage and image and peer pressure on the rate of sexual activity of college
relationships, body image, students. Undergraduate participants (N = 29) voluntarily
peer pressure, and sexual answered surveys containing questions regarding body image, peer
activity. Millers initial pressure, and sexual activity. The results indicated that there were
involvement with this project no significant relationships among participants body image, peer
began as a project for her pressure experience, and their rate of sexual activity. In future
Experimental Psychology studies, these variables can be studied to establish their effects on
course that she later extended the rate of sexual activity of college students.
into her research project for
her Introduction to Research
course. Key Terms:
Body Image Sexuality
Peer Pressure College Students
Body Image, Peer Pressure,
Special
andRelationships
Sexual Activity 15
be influential in levels of sexual activity in other purely for lust or sexual conquest. According to
young adults. Kaestle and Halpern (2007), some college students
believe that if feelings are not reciprocated, sex
Patrick, Maggs, and Abar (2007) found that when can strengthen the relationship.
college students were asked why they decided to
have sex, having someone to love and being loved Although body image, peer pressure, and sexual
were some of the most common answers. The peer activity are all obstacles in young adults lives, it
pressure of having someone to love or being loved appears that when people enter college, they are
produces a desire to be wanted and a need for constantly faced with these and many other crucial
conformity among college students. Eshbaugh and obstacles. I hypothesize that peer pressure and
Gute (2008) found that college women who body image have a strong association with the
regretted having sex with someone only had sex in prevalence of sexual activity among college
the first place because they felt pressured in to it. campuses. The more positive participants body
In addition, Meana and Nunnink (2005) found that image is, the lower their sexual activity will be.
women who had a negative body image focused The higher the participants peer pressure
on themselves while having sex instead of experience is, the higher their sexual activity will
focusing on their partner or the act of sex itself. be.
This example shows a relationship not only
between body image and sexual activity, but also Method
peer pressure and sexual activity because, in this
case, the female is not enjoying the act of sex Participants
itself, and she is participating in the act mainly The sample consisted of 29 undergraduate
because of her partner. Both body image and students from a historically Black university. Any
sexual activity, and peer pressure and sexual undergraduate student of any ethnicity and age
activity have been shown to be related among could volunteer to participate in a study about
young adults on college campuses. Sexual activity body image, peer pressure, and sexual activity
plays a role together with body image and peer among college campuses. The sample consisted of
pressure, and also by itself in young adults lives. males and females of different classification levels
and as an incentive, participants were offered a
Researchers have defined sexual activity in study credit or extra credit for their psychology
numerous ways. For the purpose of this study, class at the discretion of their teacher.
sexual activity will be defined as sexual
intercourse including vaginal sex, anal sex, and
Materials
oral sex. However, some young adults may have a
The first variable that was measured was body
different definition of sex. Knox, Zusman, and
image. To measure body image, participants
McNeely (2008) found that undergraduates at a
completed the Body Esteem Scale (Franzoi &
southeastern university believed that oral sex was
Shields, 1984). The Body Esteem Scale indicated
not really sex and that cybersex was not
how participants felt about their body image as
necessarily cheating if one was in a relationship.
they rated themselves. On this scale, participants
Sexual activity on college campuses may also
rated their body image, measuring 35 body parts
have something to do with why some students
and functions on a 5-point Likert scale with 1
decide to have sex and why some do not. Leigh
being strong negative feelings and 5 being
(1989) found that women may decide to have sex
strong positive feelings. Possible scores ranged
as an expression of their love and feelings to their
from 35 to 175. Higher numbers indicated a higher
partner, whereas men may decide to have sex
body image.
the results suggest that college students are more activity. By making this study experimental, future
secure with their decisions regarding sexual researchers may find relationships between
activity and that few, if any, outside influences variables that were not present in this study. For
affect this decision. example, in an experimental study, participants
could be provided with different images of people
Limitations for this study include a lack of and then be asked to rate the body image of the
demographic information and design flaws. The person depicted. This might show how people rate
participants were not asked to give their ethnic others body image and if any factors affect these
identification thus there was no way to determine ratings, such as age, skin tone, or weight.
if a correlation between ethnicity and the variables
studied was present. In addition, design flaws The preset study is unique and useful in its design.
such as unclear survey directions may have lead to There have been previous studies measuring
participants being confused about the questions peoples body image in relation to self-esteem or
being asked and how they were to respond to each measuring peoples sexual activity in relation to
question. Other limitations for this study include age. However, this study measures body image,
the limited samples of males: out of 30 peer pressure and sexual activity, comparing the
participants, only three were male. Thus, the study three against each other in order to determine if
was biased because there was not enough male there is a significant relationship present. This is
input to have an even amount of responses from important because future researchers will be able
male and female participants. In addition, past to learn about the factors, if any, that affect sexual
research examining the variables of peer pressure activity in people, which can then be applied to
and sexual activity reported that there was a various fields such as sex education programs,
significant relationship between the two, population statistics, and future psychologists
suggesting that there would also be significant work.
results in this study.
While this study found no significant results
Future researchers that replicate this studys between body image, peer pressure, and the rate of
design should first ask all participants to identify sexual activity of college students, future
their ethnic identities in order to understand how participants may use the measures given to assess
ethnicity affects the variables studied. Next, all their own body image, peer pressure experience,
questions should be clarified in the surveys in an and the effect they have on their rate of sexual
effort to make sure the participants know what activity in college. Future researchers may also
they are being asked. Also, the number of male use the results found in this study to better assess
participants should be increased to aid in the effort what factors, if any, affect the rate of sexual
of making the results non-biased. Furthermore, the activity of college students.
effects of body image and peer pressure
experience of participants between the ages of 12
to 27 should be studied because it would be
determinable at what age body image and peer
pressure experience play a role in participants
rate of sexual activity. Lastly, this study should be
made experimental to discover if manipulating the
variables has any effect on what participants think
about the relationships between body image, peer
pressure experience, and the rate of sexual
Eshbaugh, E., & Gute, G. (2008). Hookups and Patrick, M., Maggs, J., & Abar, C. (2007).
sexual regret among college women. Reasons to have sex, personal goals, and
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Franzoi, S., & Klaiber, J. (2007). Body use and 249.
reference group impact: With whom do we
compare our bodies? Sex Roles, 56, 205- Santor, D., Messervey, D., & Kusumakar, V.
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Franzoi, S., & Shields, S. (1984). The body esteem boys and girls: Predicting school
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differences in a college population. substance abuse. Journal of Youth and
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173-178.
Shoemaker, L. & Furman, W. (2007). Same-sex
Geisser, M., Jefferson, T., Spevak, M., Boaz, T., peers' influence on young women's body
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Whitbeck, L., Yoder, K., Hoyt, D., & Conger, R.
Kaestle, C., & Halpern, C. (2007). What's love got (1999). Early adolescent sexual activity: A
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Acknowledgements
Leigh, B. (1989). Reasons for having and avoiding
I would like to thank the two teachers in the
sex: Gender, sexual orientation, and
relationship to sexual behavior. Journal of psychology department who have guided me not
Sex Research, 26, 199-209. only through this paper, but my major in
psychology as well, Dr. Elliot Hammer and Dr.
Elizabeth Hammer.
ESTEEM
N 29 29 29 29 29
PEER -.281
N 29 29 29 29 29
POPULARITY
N 29 29 29 29 29
CONFORMITY
N 29 29 29 29 29
ACT.
N 29 29 29 29 29
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Slightly Disagree
3 = Neutral
4 = Slightly Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
__ When at school, if a group of people asked me to do something, it would be hard to say no.
__ At times, Ive done dangerous or foolish things because others dared me to.
__ Ive felt pressured to have sex, because a lot of people my own age have already had sex
__ At times, Ive felt pressured to do drugs, because others have urged me too
Popularity Items
__ I have done things to make me more popular, even when it meant doing something I would not
usually do
__ Ive neglected some friends because of what other people might think
__ At times, Ive ignored some people in order to be more popular with others
__ At times, Ive gone out with people, just because they were popular
__ Ive been friends with some people, just because others liked them.
__ At times, Ive hung out with some people, so others wouldnt think I was unpopular
Conformity Items
__ I follow my parents wishes even when it means not doing something I want to do
___ 4. The neatness of condoms, for example, no wet spot on the bed, makes them attractive.
___ 5. I see the use of condoms as adding to the excitement of foreplay if the female partner helps the
___ 6. I would be willing to try a condom, even if I have never used one before.
___ 8. Women think men who use condoms show concern and caring.
___ 10. I think proper use of the condom can enhance sexual pleasure.
___ 11. Many people make use of the condom as an erotic part of foreplay.
___ 12. All things considered, condoms seem safer to me than any other form of contraception except
abstinence.
___ 17. Putting a condom on an erect penis can be a real sexual turn-on.
___ 21. I would be comfortable suggesting that my partner and I use a condom.
___ 24. Women think men who use condoms are jerks.
___ 29. Having to stop to put on a condom takes all the romance out of sex.
___ 30. Most women don't like for their partners to use condoms.
___ 31. I don't think condoms interfere with the enjoyment of sex.
___ 33. Using a condom requires taking time out of foreplay, which interrupts the pleasure of sex.
___ 36. There is no reason why a man should be embarrassed to suggest using a condom.
___ 37. To most women, a man who uses a condom is sexier than one who leaves protection up to the
woman.
___ 39. I would have no objection if my partner suggested that we use a condom.
___ 40. The skillful woman can make placing a condom a highly erotic experience.
A. Male
B. Female
A. Freshman
B. Sophomore
C. Junior
D. Senior
E. Pharmacy School
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