Muscular = Fake? Testing a Picture‐Word Pairing Procedure to Increase Muscle Appearance Satisfaction in Young Men
Carolien Martijn, Maaike Steenhuis, Antonia Ammernick, Janneke Balzer, Julius Haimüller, Jessica M. AllevaABSTRACT
Objective
When men compare their bodies to those of muscular fitness models, this may result in dissatisfaction with their own muscularity. We tested whether pairing pictures of male muscular‐ideal models with synonyms of ‘fake’ results in an increase in muscle satisfaction and a decrease in self‐objectification among young men.
Method
Male participants ( N = 66, M age = 22.86, SD = 2.14) were randomly assigned to an experimental ( n = 32) or control ( n = 34) condition of a picture‐word pairing procedure. Both conditions showed the same pictures of muscular‐ideal models. In the experimental condition these pictures were systemically paired with synonyms of ‘fake’; in the control condition these pictures were randomly paired with words related to sports and colours.
Results
Participants in the experimental condition showed a modest increase in muscle appearance satisfaction from pre‐ to posttest whereas control participants did not change. Change in muscle appearance satisfaction was not moderated by internalisation of the appearance ideal. The predicted decrease in self‐objectification was not found.
Conclusions
The present research provides initial evidence that pairing pictures of male muscular‐ideal models with ‘fake’ can enhance muscle appearance satisfaction in young men.
Trial Registration
The study was pre‐registered at