Differences in Perception of Image Words and Perception Dimension of Desired Image according to Sex Variable for College Students in a School Context

학교 상황에서 대학생의 성별에 따른 이미지 용어 지각 및 추구 이미지 지각 차원 차이

This study was intended to identify the differences in perception of image words and perception dimension of desired image according to sex variable for college students in a school context. Data were collected by questionnaires distributed to 443 college students from August to September of 2000. After eliminating incomplete questionnaires, 396 were analyzed. As results of factor analysis, 7 desired image factors were determined for male and female, respectively. On the basis of these results, major perception differences were identified according to sex variable. Differently-perceived image words were as fellows: For intellectual image, male relates it with sporty while female relates it with graceful; for masculine image, male relates it with mature while female relates it with sporty; and for feminine image, male relates it with sexy and graceful while female relates it modest, pure, and cute. Multidimensional scaling was employed to determine the perception dimension of desired image. Two dimensions were accepted to interpret the results for both sex, respectively. 'Feminine-masculine' and 'conspicuous-plain' were criteria for male students, while 'unnatural-natural' and 'feminine-masculine' were criteria for female students.