Media Manipulation, Distortion and Lies
October2008

The sophisticated media which constitutes modern advertising and PR  (magazines, films, television, advertising ) plays a significant role in prescribing what we want (or think we want). For the majority, this generated want is insatiable, leaving the individual wanting more; there is always something bigger/better etc. For women this has progressed from acquiring products and services to improve their appearance to directly ‘enhancing’ their bodies via the skill of a surgeon. 

How has the media managed to gain such a strong influence over the psychology of the consuming public?  The simple answer is:-

by deliberate and often dishonest manipulation; utilising the expertise of psychoanalysts who informs them how to reach deep into their targets inner self and stimulate want and ‘must have’ desires.

It is worth noting that a significant portion of the UK’s economic activity is based on pressurising women to focus on their physical appearance.  The very existence of the grooming, cosmetics, hair, fashion, fitness and cosmetic surgery industries depend on the continuation of this practice. So capitalism, the goal of which is to make a profit by selling products and services,   necessitates generating a selling message that:-           

            i)     generate want/desire and consequential sale on an ongoing
                   basis.
            ii)    tries to influence consumers to buy one manufactures
                   produce rather than a competitor's often similar/equal product.

In a bid to achieve i and ii above, the media often knowingly resorts to manipulation, message distortion and lies.

Many British women are obsessed with losing weight and this is encouraged and promoted by the media and advertising companies. Dieting to lose weight is being pushed on young women instead of encouraging healthy eating habits and daily exercise. It seems that no woman is satisfied with her appearance and body type.  Females are shown that beauty is attainable in size 0-10s. The mainstream media constantly markets dieting pills, meal plans, and surgeries to sell this idea, and pushes this beauty myth onto younger and younger women. The fitness industry continues to watch their business rise at the expense of a women's obsession with her image.

Women who fall victim to the media become self obsessed and are willing to buy whatever the media throws at them. They become controlled by cynical externally generated desires.  Sadly, these women will never be satisfied e.g. studies* show that women become depressed after viewing media images of beautiful, young, ultra slim models.

Victims include the growing numbers of women who resent their bodies for showing signs of aging. In an impossible attempt to turn back time, they try to regain the bodies of their youth via the skilful use of cosmetics, dieting, cosmetic surgery and youthful fashion.

Women can and do become immune to the media onslaught. This is possible when they identify what they like about themselves and developing their own sense of what constitutes a pleasing appearance. These women purchase a product or service simply  because they like it and not because it ‘in fashion’ or gives the desired message to others. Even if dissatisfied with an aspect of themselves, any change is to align them to their own internal image, not one conferred on them by the media.

Media images strongly influence perception. How a woman sees herself is vital because this will affect her behaviour, her thinking and how she relate to others. Before purchasing anything or undergoing a procedure of any kind, every women should ask herself where the desire came from? Is it her own or is she succumbing to media manipulation?

 

* Psychological Bulletin (May 2008), University of Wisconsin-Madison postdoctoral researcher Shelly Grabe and psychology professor Janet Hyde describe a sweeping analysis of 77 previous studies involving more than 15,000 subjects. In it, they found that exposure to media depicting ultra-thin actresses and models significantly increased women's concerns about their bodies, including how dissatisfied they felt and their likelihood of engaging in unhealthy eating behaviours, such as excessive dieting.