Boys and girls prefer hyper-muscular male action figures over normally-muscular action figures: Evidence that children have internalized the muscular male body ideal

We sought evidence of internalization of the muscular ideal body among boys and girls by comparing their preferences for hyper-muscular action figures versus their normally-muscular counterparts. Children observed pairings of action figures and reported their preference. Most boys and girls significantly preferred the hyper-muscular figures, and were more likely to provide a physical reason for their preference (e.g., more muscular) than children who preferred the normally-muscular figures. Sex did not affect rates of preference for preferring the hyper-muscular figures, suggesting physical reasons were the main reason why both boys and girls preferred the hyper-muscular figures. Figure preference differed significantly as a function of sex; boys were significantly more likely to report a preference for the hyper-muscular figures (90.3%) than girls (80.7%), χ²(1, N = 347) = 6.53, p = .011. The results tentatively point to internalization of the muscular ideal body among both boys and girls. Clinicians might consider exploring and dismantling internalization-related beliefs among child clients.