Assignment 3: Body Image Reflection - Developmental Psychology

This essay is a reflection on the Dove Beauty videos and the broader topic of body image within developmental psychology. The author begins by describing their initial expectations of the videos and their positive reactions to the messages conveyed, particularly the contrast between self-perception and how others perceive an individual's appearance. The essay then delves into the concept of body image, differentiating between physical appearance and inner beauty, and emphasizes the importance of self-confidence and acceptance. The author argues that these types of advertisements are helpful in promoting self-acceptance and challenging unrealistic beauty standards. The essay also identifies factors that influence ideas about body image, such as societal acceptance and positive attitudes, and suggests strategies for encouraging a healthy body image, including self-love and acceptance. The essay concludes by emphasizing the significance of inner beauty and self-worth over physical appearance.

Running Head: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 0
Developmental psychology
(student name)
11-22-2018

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 1
Before watching the videos, I thought it would be another beauty video, and
advertisement to enhance the beauty of an individual through products.
When I watched the video, I started feeling positive, as the video continues, a person
describe itself to the artist to create sketch and then the other person describes the same person
for an artist to sketch the same individual. The description included the body image that is the
eyes color, jawline, cheekbones, forehead size, thin, and fat. At the end of the video, it was
observed that the description giving by the person, and description of the same person given by
another individual, result into two different images and sketch of a person. The sketch, which
was described by someone else, was indicating happiness, and graceful person. Nevertheless, the
sketch defined by the person itself was generally dull, and sad. Body image is just the physical
appearance of a person, which can describe the size color and features of a particular person.
After watching the videos, I believe more in the inner beauty than that of the outer
physical image of a person. An individual confidence is a thing that presents a person happy,
dull, full of life, or sad. The video gave a beautiful message that the perception about oneself can
change everything. How an individual see himself or herself is more important. An individual
must accept what they have naturally, rather than comparing their body image to others and
wishing for outer beauty like hairs, nose, and fuller lips and so on. Moreover, a person must try
to accept flaws in their physical body image and try to enhance their inner beauty. In my opinion,
one must be confident with their own self, and do not believe other superior to yours, and accept
your skin, your hair, your eyes, your lips, and your body, because of it you who is unique in the
world. After all, our soul makes us beautiful and not physical body image (youtube, 2018).
In my opinion, these types of advertisements are helpful. We are humans, and every
person is neither same nor perfect. Every individual has some or the other flaws, when it comes

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2
to the appearance of an individual. People desire to have a perfect physical body, but this is not
possible, and due to such reason, they lose confidence. This may be the reason for people to be
unhappy, and not wish to be social.
Such advertisements are motivation for people; they build confidence in individual
watching this video, that even they are beautiful. They do not need a perfect body image, with
perfect jawline, flawless acme, and freckle free skin. Rather they need to feel good and have pure
soul to look beautiful. Beauty is in inner self of an individual.
The factors that influence the idea about the body image, for an individual the body
image is what is acceptable in the society, which includes the physical appearance of a person,
like face shape, eyes, cheekbones, and forehead. Nevertheless, in my opinion, the factors must be
the positive attitude of an individual, self-confidence, joyful nature, and inner pace of an
individual influence the body image.
Things that can be done to encourage a healthy body image are happiness, self-
confidence, loving yourself, accepting your own body, rather than applying makeup to look
beautiful (youtube, dove body image, 2018).

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 3
References
youtube. (2018). dove body image. Retrieved from youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=31k78poEexo
youtube. (2018). Dove Real Beauty Sketches | You’re more beautiful than you think . Retrieved
from youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpaOjMXyJGk