Generalization of body size distortion

Thirty-four asymptomatic, normal weight college females were assessed for levels of body size overestimation for self-relevant body areas and corresponding sites on a normal-sized department store mannequin. An adjustable light beam procedure was used for all measures. Minimal differences between black and white subjects eventuated. A consistent pattern emerged indicating greater overestimation for self than mannequin; however, this was not true for all body sites assessed. A greater number of significant correlations among self-estimates and mannequin scores were found than significant relationships between self and mannequin distortion quotients. The results are discussed with regard to the generalizability of body size overestimation.