States that fairness has been a major concern in the field of music adjudication. Reviews the research literature to reveal information about three external characteristics (race, gender, and physical attractiveness) that may affect judges' performance evaluations and influence fairness of music adjudication. Includes references. (CMK)

Examines whether selected nonmusical attributes of 20 sixth-grade pianists would affect ratings of their performances by 123 musically trained evaluators. States that the visual group evaluators viewed a videotape, without the sound, rating the pianists on appropriateness of dress, stage behavior, and physical attractiveness. The audio and…

Evaluates age and gender differences in physical self-concept of Turkish university students. The Physical Self-Perception Profile was administered to participants for assessing physical self-concept. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect for gender, but no significant main effect for year in school. Univariate…

Two studies examined schematic information processing as a function of attractiveness stereotyping among 3- to 7- year-olds. Found that children made more errors identifying female characters with stereotype-inconsistent traits but either did just the opposite with male characters or had no difference in errors with male characters. Findings pose…

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with young adults' concerns about age related changes in body image and their anticipated impact on psychosocial functioning. One hundred and sixty-seven college students completed the Body Image and Aging Survey, designed to assess age related issues in body image, the Peer Dieting Survey,…

This article examines the potential impact of adolescent social physique anxiety on behavior and physical activity settings. Offers that an awareness and consideration of the self-presentational sensitivities that adolescents may experience in physical activity settings provide important avenues for understanding and addressing certain types of…

This article discusses the gender differences in perceived physical appearance that contribute to problems such as depression and eating disorders. Ways are explored to help children and adolescents reject media messages and base their self-esteem on genuine qualities. (Author/MKA)

Analyzed the impact of requirements for physical appearance for clerical workers set by employers in South Korea on the attitudes of students in two sophomore and two senior classes at each of two high schools, one coeducational and one all-female. Discusses the socioeconomic and political contexts of such hiring requirements and their effects on…

This qualitative study examined comments of 250 parents of children with Down syndrome concerning facial plastic surgery as a means of improving the physical functioning, appearance, and social acceptance of these children. Most respondents viewed improvement of negative societal attitudes toward individuals with Down syndrome and futhering their…

Risk and protective factors associated with disordered eating were examined in girls in middle-level school. Analysis showed that low competence in physical appearance, high importance of social acceptance, high self-oriented perfectionism, and low parental support were correlated significantly with reports of high levels of disordered eating.…

This book's author is the creator of an award-winning web site for teens and young adults. The Web site, Talk City's InSite, invites young people to share their questions and concerns about relationships. This book brings information from the web site onto the printed page. Based on hundreds of e-mails receive by the author, it discusses issues…

Discusses how more college men are reporting eating disorders and other problems associated with body image, a so-called "Adonis complex." (EV)

Studied the perceptions of 165 Mexican American and Euro-American adolescents and their parents about healthy and attractive female body sizes and shapes using a pictorial measure. Results suggest that Euro-American and Mexican American participants report similar preferences for females' body sizes and shapes, but little agreement was found…

Participants in this study testify that acne alterations to the skin often bring about changes in spatial practices or body movements on account of society's aesthetic prejudices regarding facial disfigurement. Examines the urban geographies of people distinguished by their perceived facial differences. Explains that problems of exclusion arise…

Given that young people are extremely concerned with how they appear socially, beguiling and glamorous portrayals of smokers in recent films may be contributing to the continual rise in college student smoking. The pervasive positive depiction of smokers as attractive and appealing easily preys on young people who lack confidence and self esteem.…