Dr Scott Griffiths is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychological Sciences at the University for Melbourne. He leads the Physical Appearance Research Team, a multi-disciplinary group of researchers and health professionals who investigate body image, appearance-related stigmas, appearance-related discrimination, appearance-enhancing substances, appearance enhancement, and appearance-related psychological disorders such as eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorders.

2022 MHIS Presentation: Looking hot in 2022: The evolving nature of body image pressures online and offline

Body image pressures are ubiquitous in Australia. For young people, these pressures begin early, are keenly felt, and can take many years to reconcile and resolve. Along this journey, young people are susceptible to: (i) developing appearance-related disorders, such as eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder; (ii) engaging in various forms of appearance enhancement that range from worrisome to dangerous; and (iii) engaging in – and perpetuating – various appearance-related discriminations, such as weight stigma, racism, and heightism. In this talk, you will learn about the evolving nature of body image pressures online and offline. Particular attention will be paid to social media platforms relevant to young people, including TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. You will also learn how contemporary body image pressures are manifesting in novel psychological disorders and belief systems that complicate our jobs as educators, researchers, and health professionals.