Encyclopedia of Body Image and Human Appearance

Thomas F. Cash

Apr 2012 · Academic Press

About this ebook

This scholarly work is the most comprehensive existing resource on human physical appearance—how people’s outer physical characteristics and their inner perceptions and attitudes about their own appearance (body image) affect their lives. The encyclopedia’s 117 full-length chapters are composed and edited by the world’s experts from a range of disciplines—social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. The extensive topical coverage in this valuable reference work includes: (1) Important theories, perspectives, and concepts for understanding body image and appearance; (2) Scientific measurement of body image and physical attributes (anthropometry); (3) The development and determinants of human appearance and body image over the lifespan: (4) How culture and society influences the meanings of human appearance; (5) The psychosocial effects of appearance-altering disease, damage, and visible differences; (6) Appearance self-change and self-management; (7) The prevention and treatment of body image problems, including psychosocial and medical interventions. Chapters are written in a manner that is accessible and informative to a wide audience, including the educated public, college and graduate students, and scientists and clinical practitioners. Each well-organized chapter provides a glossary of definitions of any technical terms and a Further Reading section of recommended sources for continued learning about the topic.

Available online via ScienceDirect or in a limited-release print version.

• The Encyclopedia of Body Image and Human Appearance is a unique reference for a growing area of scientific inquiry
• It brings together in one source the research from experts in a variety of fields examining this psychological and sociological phenomenon
• The breadth of topics covered, and the current fascination with this subject area ensure this reference will be of interest to researchers and a lay audience alike

About the author

Thomas F. Cash is a Professor of Psychology at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Cash earned his Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University and his Master of Arts and Ph.D. from George Peabody College. Considered a pioneer in the psychology of physical appearance, Cash wrote the self-help book, What Do You See When You Look in the Mirror? Helping Yourself to a Positive Body Image to teach people how to be more objective about their bodies. Filled with enlightening self-tests, distinctive case histories, and practical exercises, readers learn how to overcome negative thinking and improve their self-esteem. In addition to writing self-help books, Cash has conducted research for Neutrogena Corporation. Along with Dr. Anne S Lucky, president of Dermatology Research Associates of Cincinnati, Cash has surveyed over 560 teenagers and adults who suffer, or have in the past suffered, from acne. The results show the long-term effects of adolescent acne, the role it plays in effective skin care management, and its psychological effects.