Abstract

This study investigated the effect of the ideal model body on consumers as the spreading usage of the ideal model body. In general, self-threat occurs when an ideal body type of the model is exposed to an individual with a negative self-body image, and this self-threat causes a negative reaction to advertisements in which the ideal model appears. Therefore, this study attempted to find an advertising method that can alleviate self-threat. In a 2 (self body image: positive vs. negative) × 2 (model body type: ideal vs. realistic) x 2 (model presentation type: reality vs. silhouette) between-subject design, we tested the effects of these factors on self-threat and advertising attitudes, and measured visual attention to the model’s abdomen. The results of the study follow. First, when the model is presented in reality, it was found that when the self-body image is negative, self-threat increases. Second, it was found that the advertising attitude was higher under each negative self-body image condition, and in the condition in which the image of the model was presented as reality. Third, the visual attention to the model’s abdomen confirmed a faster entry time, more fixation count towards the target region. This study’s theoretical implication is that it used a new variable called silhouette to alleviate self-threat that can be caused by models of ideal body types, and measures visual attention according to self-body image, model body type, and model presentation type, which yield the same results as existing studies. In addition, it has practical implications in that it provides the advantage of using models of ideal body types by empirically confirming that models of ideal body types increase self-threat but have a positive effect on attitude toward advertising.