Preadolescent boys and body image :a study of 125 preadolescent boy achievers and underachievers and how they differ in their body images

Purpose: It was the purpose of this study to determine the extent to which seventy-five preadolescent boy achievers differed in the degree to which they conceived their body imaged from fifty preadolescent boy underachievers. Specifically, this study sought to ascertain that 1) preadolescent boy achievers would project a more positive body image than would the preadolescent boy underachievers; and 2) preadolescent boy underachievers would perceive themselves as being more constricted in their communications with their environment than would the preadolescent boy achievers. Methods The methods used to obtain data for this study were 1) examination of permanent record cards and I.Q. scores; 2) homeroom teachers’ evaluations; 3) schedule of baseline characteristics of the preadolescent boys and their parents; and 4) responses of the preadolescent boys to ten questionnaire items and six transparencies. Summary of Findings Educational Characteristics. –More than one-half—in some instances more than two-thirds—of the 125 boys were deemed by their teachers to have enriched or average ability, were appropriate in classroom attitude, moderate in classroom and sports participation, and were regular in attendance. As might be expected, more achievers then underachievers were estimated enriched or average in ability by teachers, while more underachievers then achievers were estimated by teachers to have low average or fair ability. Underachievers were more apt than achievers to be aggressive or withdrawn in classroom attitudes, and to participate little in class. Perception of Body Image-Almost all 125 boys—82 to 96 per cent—felt positive about their nose, eyes, hair, weight, and strength. This same percentage of boys expressed positive feelings about their performance in sports and in school. They also believed their classmates, teachers, and parents had positive feelings about them. A few more under-achievers than achievers believed they were good in sports, not so good in school performance, and that their teachers did not feel too positive about them. Manifested Body Perceptions-One-half of the 125 boys were able to pursue their own interests rather than permit their friends to deter them. In one situation, there were significantly more achievers than underachievers who expressed an ability to pursue their own interests. In the other situation there were more underachievers than achievers who could not follow their own interests. Sixty to eighty percent of the 125 boys were able to express their own feelings overtly—to hit out in one situation, and to stop and comfort in the other. In the latter situation significantly more achievers than underachievers expressed an ability to stop and comfort. More than one-half of the 125 boys responded appropriately to their environment. Eighty-three per cent expressed a desire to obey a school rule about bringing a water pistol to school. Significantly more achievers than underachieves responded appropriately to their environment. The responses to all six situations revealed more underachievers than achievers who were undecided in pursuit of their own interests, in the expression of their feelings, and in responding appropriately to their environment. In the latter situations, the undecided responses of the underachievers influenced significantly the difference.