Unpacking the Physical Self: Body Image and Eating Disorders

Vocabulary flashcards covering the physical self, body image, cultural influences, and eating disorders based on GE2405 Handout 1A.

Physical Self

how we perceive and evaluate our physical appearance, including our height, weight, skin tone, hair type, and facial features..

Body Image

a person’s thoughts, feelings, and perceptions about the aesthetics or appearance of their body.

Positive Body Image

feeling confident and happy with one’s body as it is without being overly concerned with societal standards.

Negative Body Image

being critical of one’s appearance, focusing on flaws, and feeling dissatisfied with one’s body.

Self-Esteem

a person’s sense of confidence and value that contributes to overall emotional and physical well-being.

Media Representation

The depiction of specific body types as ideal through channels such as television, movies, and social media platforms.

Beauty Standards

Societal norms and ideals that dictate what constitutes an attractive physical appearance within a particular culture.

Social Relations

The interpersonal exchanges and relationships maintained in personal and social spheres, which can be influenced by confidence in one's appearance.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

A mental health condition in which an individual obsessively worries about imagined or minor defects in their physical appearance.

Anorexia Nervosa

A serious eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss, an intense fear of gaining weight, and perceiving oneself as overweight even when dangerously underweight.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by recurrent cycles of binge eating large amounts of food followed by purging behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting or laxative use, to prevent weight gain.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

An eating disorder involving frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food rapidly and to the point of discomfort, without engaging in compensatory purging behaviors.