As we discussed in class, the goals of psychology are to describe, explain, predict, and control (or influence) behavior. Psychologists want to know the WHY of behavior. With that in mind, let's think about something that a blogger posted a few hours ago in response to a statement made in class about wearing high heeled shoes. This is sort of a "he said, she said" thing. In class, he said that women who wear high heeled shoes are asking for it. Online, she said that yes they are...they're looking for bad backs and physical problems.
These comments made me wonder for the umpteenth time: what motivates people to go to such lengths in the name of fashion, acceptance, or enhanced appearance? I'm talking about anything from piercings to nose jobs to liposuction and any and everything in-between. Is it to enhance self-esteem and perhaps give a boost of confidence? Is it to say, "Look at me!"? In the case of high heels, could it be something as simple as the statement made in class by a young lady: "I wear them because it makes me feel pretty."
The choice of shoes is quite different (in degree at least) from having surgery or covering one's body with tattoos or piercings, but the concept is the same. Why do we do the things we do to ourselves that alter our appearance? What motivates us to choose the clothing, hair styles, shoes, jewelry, and so forth that we wear?
I realize that there are several questions to respond to, but the unifying theme is WHY?
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8 comments:
We as peole all have different personalities. We like to express ourselves in different mannors. I wear a lot of high heels because it looks good to me. It gives me confidence and it is what my personality is used to. I'm used to them so it doesn't cause problems as it would for someone who has never wore them. I have many tattoos and piercings. Some are symbolic and some are Religious, and i have some just because i thought it would look good. As americans we are very much involved in appearance. We care about how we look because thats how we grew up and thats what we are still around. We are always trying to improve ourselves and our appearances. If we didn't care all of us would be walking around in rags and not taking baths. we would comb our hair or brush our teeth. We do it because it is apart of our enviornment to be attractive.
Thanks so much for posting these great comments. You actually touched on something that I had considered putting in the original post, that being that one's socio-cultural environment affects what he or she considers attractive. Since one of the major psychological perspectives is the socio-cultural one, your comments are "right on target."
Not only are we influenced in our choices by our surroundings, but we're also influenced by the general overall encouragement to express our individuality. You don't see that as much in collectivistic countries.
i believe we are definitely motivated by those we choose to surround ourselves with-whether it is in our fashion choices(or lack thereof) or getting(or not getting)tattoos and piercings. Even though some seem to strive for individuality in almost extreme ways, usually they are actually surrounded by people who are doing the same things. Just look around at the mall, or at school, there are all these pockets of people with similar choices...some may be in black from head to toe with bizarre hair or makeup, some may have more of the "gangsta" look, or the skateboarder's look, or any range of the spectrum.It's crazy how seldom we actually see any crossing over of any of these groups. If anyone has seen Disney's High School Musical, the song,"Stick with the Status Quo" is priceless. But it goes much further than style choices. We tend to grow only as much as those we surround ourselves with. It's a comfort zone thing, for sure.
I'm wondering if you see more of this (people making dress and appearance choices like those they surround themselves with)in adolescence, or if it's prevalent throughout life?
The appearance choices do seem more pronounced in adolescence, but it continues on through the early twenties and even further for some people.
But no matter what age, we all tend to surround ourselves with those in our comfort zone. I know I've been guilty of it, even though I strive not to stay there. When you are around others who have attained higher goals than you, it will challenge you to rise above your current level. But most of us just stay where we are. Is it because we are such creatures of habit, this comfort zone thing?
You know what I'm going to say, don't you? "It depends." It really does. Some people stay put because they don't have the confidence to venture out of their comfort zones or to soar above the crowd. Perhaps they've never been told, "You can do it; I know you can!" Then again others might not have positive role models to emulate. Others are afraid of ridicule or failure or even ostracism from their "friends."
I think that many people, women in particular feel pressure to look their best. They feel like they have to meet the standards of what is "pretty". Much of the way women dress and look has to do with culture and the media. Personally, high heels make me feel more feminine and graceful even though they cause medical problems. Piercings play a large part in beauty for several cultures. Even in some Middle Eastern cultures women have their faces tattooed to signify beauty.
Thanks for posting something, Amber. Your comments reflect my thinking exactly: People want to look and feel their best, and often one of the ways to do that is to follow the fashion of their culture. By the way, nice comment about women in some Middle Eastern culture...good to go beyond our own little sphere of exposure to remind us that it's a great big world out there.
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