Limitations of quantitative methods to access the corporeal human experience

The Body Shape Questionaire and the Stunkard silhouettes scale

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the theoretical and practical ways of accessing the concept of body image (BI) and body dissatisfaction, concepts that seek to elucidate the bodily experience of existence. To this end, it starts with a literature review, building a broad view of the methods of investigation and conceptualization of the BI construct. The results indicate that most studies reveal that the population is dissatisfied with their body. It is postulated, then, that the research method induces this result, because it moves in a vicious circle. It concludes by affirming the need for qualitative research that focus on the experience of being-in-the-world bodly.