Looking down on Others to Feel Good about the Self: The Exposure Effects of Online Model Pictures on Men’s Self-Esteem

This study examined how exposure to online pictures of male models with different body sizes (thin, overweight) and physical attractiveness levels (attractive, unattractive) affected men’s self-esteem (appearance- and weight-related self-esteem). Men exposed to attractive model pictures showed lower appearance-related self-esteem compared with those exposed to unattractive models. Among participants who were exposed to overweight models, those...