We live in a society in which messages associating physical attractiveness with success and happiness are pervasive. There is an epidemic of appearance concerns amongst teenagers and adults in westernised countries and body image dissatisfaction is now considered normative. Large numbers of people experience negative impacts on wellbeing and, for many adolescents, adults, and even children, appearance concerns are influential in choices about a range of health behaviours. The challenges facing them include difficulties with social encounters and the problem of having to cope with negative self perceptions. The Oxford Handbook of the Psychology of Appearance is a comprehensive reference text written by experts in the field. It examines how people feel about the way they look, and why it is that some people are happy with their appearance whilst increasing numbers are troubled by the way they look - reporting that these appearance-related concerns affect many aspects of their lives including relationships, health and well-being. It considers the influence of other people and how the media affects thoughts and behaviours related to appearance. It explores the experiences of people living with a disfigurement in a society that seems to be increasingly focussed on appearance and the pursuit of an idealised image of beauty, size and weight. Exploring a topic that has been often neglected in the psychological literature, this book will be invaluable for health, clinical, and social psychologists, health professionals working with patients with visible differences, and those in the field of public health and education. Reviews: "Nichola Rumsey and Diana Harcourt have done a necessary and excellent job in the creation of The Oxford Handbook of the Psychology of Appearance, and one hopes for sequels. Yes, the psychology of appearance should have a place in the sun." --PsycCRITIQUES, May 2013 Contents: Nichola Rumsey and Diana Harcourt: Introduction Setting the Scene 1. Overview 2. Hannah Frith: Appearance and Society 3. Malcolm MacLachlan, Grainne Ni Mháille, Pamela Gallagher and Deirdre Desmond: Embodiment and Appearance 4. Hannah Falvey: Cross-cultural Differences 5. Esther L.E. Hansen and Peter E.M. Butler: Challenges in Health Care Provision in the UK 6. Valerie Lamaine and Andrea Pusic: Challenges in Health Care Provision in the USA 7. Tom Potokar and Patricia Price: Challenges in Health Care Provision in Resource-Poor Countries 8. Julie Kent: A Sociological Perspective in Biomedical Technologies and Appearance 9. Andrew R. Thompson: Researching Appearance: Models, Theories, and Frameworks 10. Nichola Rumsey and Diana Harcourt: Summary and Synthesis Who is affected by appearance concerns, in what way, and why? 11. Overview Across the lifespan 12. Linda Smolak: Appearance in Childhood and Adolescence 13. Marika Tiggemann and Julie Slevec: Appearance in Adulthood 14. Lucie Baker and Eyal Gringart: Appearance in Later Life Individual differences in adjustment and distress 15. Helen Falkner: Gender 16. Caroline Huxley and Nikki Hayfield: Lesbian, Gay and Bisexualities, Appearance and Body Image 17. Habib Naqvi and Krysia Saul: Culture and Ethnicity 18. Emma Halliwell and Phillippa Diedrichs: Influence of the Media 19. Rebecca Bellew: The Role of the Family 20. Lina Ricciardelli and David Mellor: Influence of Peers 21. Timothy P. Moss and Ben Rosser: Adult Psychosocial Adjustment to Visible Differences: Physical and Psychological Predictors of Variation Consequences of Appearance Concerns 22. James Byron-Daniel: Appearance and Exercise 23. Irmgard Tischner and Helen Malson: Understanding the Too Fat Body and the Too Thin Body: A Critical Psychological Perspective 24. Victoria Lawson: Appearance Concerns, Dietary Restriction and Disordered Eating 25. Canice E. Crerand, Leanne Magee and David B. Sarwer: Cosmetic Procedures Experiences of people who have a visible difference 26. Kristin Billaud-Feragen: Congenital Conditions 27. Julie Wisely and Sarah Gaskell: Trauma - with special reference to burn injury 28. Christine Bundy: Visible Difference Associated with Disease: Skin conditions 29. Heidi Williamson and Melissa Wallace: When Treatment Affects Appearance 30. Summary and Synthesis What needs to change and how can change be achieved 31. Section Overview Societal Interventions 32. Barry Gunter: Role of the Media 33. James Partridge: Persuading the Public: New face values for the 21st Century 34. Julia Cadogan: Changing Provision of Healthcare Settings in the United Kingdom 35. Susan Brown: Interventions for Families and Healthcare Professionals 36. Alexandra Clarke: Regulation of Cosmetic Surgery Interventions at an individual or group level 37. Phillippa Diedrichs and Emma Halliwell: School Based Interventions to Promote Positive Body Image and the Acceptance of Diversity in Appearance 38. Elizabeth Jenkinson: Therapeutic Interventions: Evidence of effectiveness 39. Alyson Bessell: Computer Based Psychosocial Interventions 40. Sarah Grogan and Daniel Masterson: Using Appearance Concerns to Promote Health 41. Summary and Synthesis Research Issues 42. Overview 43. Ross Krawczyk, Jessie Menzel and J. Kevin Thompson: Methodological Issues in the Study of Body Image and Appearance 44. Martin Persson: Using Retrospective Approaches in the Study of Disfigurement 45. Emma Dures: Mixed Methods: The best of both worlds? 46. Neil S. Coulson: Methodological Choices (Online research) 47. Diana Harcourt: Using Novel Methods in Appearance Research 48. Amanda Bates: Promoting Participant Voices in Research 49. Summary and Synthesis The Psychology of Appearance 50. Nichola Rumsey and Diana Harcourt: The Future Index About the Editors: Nichola Rumsey is VTCT Professor of Appearance Psychology at the Centre for Appearance Research, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. Diana Harcourt is Reader in Health Psychology at the Centre for Appearance Research, University West England, Bristol, UK.
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