Self Image: Activity 3

Activity 3: Blog Entry
Consider some of the social pressures that you think may shape your behavior and personal image. List the images most commonly associated with the categories or ‘boxes’ you have already listed in Activity 1. 

How have you responded to social pressures to conform by adopting an appearance that relates to the categories that you feel you have placed in or have chosen? 

girlsgonehair.com

I think some of the most commonly associated categories that I am associated with are the typical white girl and dumb blonde. Most people see that I am white and a girl and they think I like Starbucks and wear Uggs all the time. When in fact I do not own a pair of Uggs and I hate the taste of coffee. And people see that I am blonde and think that I am dumb when in fact I have almost all A's.  I have chosen to not conform to the categories that I feel that I have been placed in but being smart and not wearing or liking what "typical white girls" like. 

Self Image: Activity 2

Find images in the media, which have been used to represent attractive and unattractive aspects of the human face. Examine and record carefully the photographic techniques used to accentuate both these qualities, drawing up a list that relates to the images you have found. 

• List the physical characteristics that we have come to admire in both the male and female face and write 100 words in response to the following questions: 

1. Do you believe that media images or public opinion are responsible for the characteristics of beauty becoming universal stereotypes? 
2. Do you believe people admiring media images of glamorous models can do any harm?

plussizemodelsunite.com

The first two images are used to represent attractive aspects of the human face. Such as the clear skin, non-wrinkled face, plump lips, and healthy hair.  The photographic techniques used to accentuate these qualities is the soft lighting on their face. It helps bring out their skin and eyes.

fanpop.com

freenet.com

These two images are used to represent unattractive aspects of the human face. Such as the blemish skin, the unhealthy hair, the wrinkles and puffy face.  The harsh lighting also doesn't not help their face, it makes their skin look shiny and red. 

freenet.com

1. I believe that media images or public opinion take most of the responsibility for the characteristics of beauty becoming universal stereotypes. The media is the one that shows the images of what they think are pleasing to the people. They make those images popular and become what people think of what beauty should be. But the people are also to blame. They are the ones that are demanding to see those images. The media only puts out what they know the people want. If the people want to see an overweight person eating a hamburger because that what the people find pleasing, then they will. So if we want the characteristics of beauty becoming universal stereotypes to change, then we have to change. Yes the media could take a stand and put out the images they want but then they would go out of business. So its up to the people to change these stereotypes and what the media puts out. 

2. I believe people admiring media images of glamorous models can do harm. It can harm people who believe that they will never look like those models. It brings down their self esteem and make them feel depressed because they do not look like those impossible high standards. Other people even bully others when they don't look like those models. All of this harm can even cause someone to commit suicide. The media images of these glamorous models is doing harm to our society more and more each day. 

Self Image: Activity 1

Activity 1: Blog Entry 

What follows is a list of categories that serves to define and divide us. Make a personal list of the categories you belong to or have conflict with and visual symbols that are associated with each. Aspirations and expectations should also be listed. 

1. Age/generation - is can dictate levels of independence afforded to the individual. 
2. Gender - Our sex affects the way we are treated by some individuals. 
3. Race - Prejudice and perceived racial superiority can affect hopes and aspirations. 
4. Religion - Moral codes and ideologies that serve to guide, unite and divide. 
5. Class or caste - A classification that an individual may never escape from. 
6. Personality - Extrovert and introvert are classifications of personality. 
7. Intelligence - educational establishments, based on IQ, often segregate us. 
8. Political persuasion - Left wing or right wing. Each carries its own ideology. 

1. Age: 17   Generation: Z

2. Female 

3. I am white 

4. Christian/Buddhist. I grew up Christian but my mom travels to Asia a lot and would constantly bring back gifts like little buddha statues. I began reading books on the buddha religion an researching it more and found that I like some of its beliefs and concepts so I incorporated them into my life.

5. I guess I would fall under the typical white girl or dumb blonde class.

6. For personality, I would be an extrovert. I tend to be very loud and talkative.

7. I would consider myself pretty intelligent. I get mainly A's and B's in school and keep a high GPA.

8. I consider myself a Moderate because I'm not very politically active.