Oxford Handbook of the Psychology of Appearance

Nichola Rumsey editor Diana Harcourt editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:3rd Jul '14

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Oxford Handbook of the Psychology of Appearance cover

We live in a society in which messages associating physical attractiveness with success and happiness are pervasive. There is an epidemic of appearance concerns amongst teenagers and adults in westernised countries and body image dissatisfaction is now considered normative. Large numbers of people experience negative impacts on wellbeing and, for many adolescents, adults, and even children, appearance concerns are influential in choices about a range of health behaviours. The challenges facing them include difficulties with social encounters and the problem of having to cope with negative self perceptions. The Oxford Handbook of the Psychology of Appearance is a comprehensive reference text written by experts in the field. It examines how people feel about the way they look, and why it is that some people are happy with their appearance whilst increasing numbers are troubled by the way they look - reporting that these appearance-related concerns affect many aspects of their lives including relationships, health and well-being. It considers the influence of other people and how the media affects thoughts and behaviours related to appearance. It explores the experiences of people living with a disfigurement in a society that seems to be increasingly focussed on appearance and the pursuit of an idealised image of beauty, size and weight. Exploring a topic that has been often neglected in the psychological literature, this book will be invaluable for health, clinical, and social psychologists, health professionals working with patients with visible differences, and those in the field of public health and education.

Nichola Rumsey and Diana Harcourt have done a necessary and excellent job in the creation of The Oxford Handbook of the Psychology of Appearance, and one hopes for sequels. Yes, the psychology of appearance should have a place in the sun. * PsycCRITIQUES, May 2013 *

ISBN: 9780198723226

Dimensions: 244mm x 174mm x 40mm

Weight: 1226g

736 pages