High School

Adam always sees male bodybuilders on social media. This pushes Adam to constantly go to the gym because he feels that, in order to be masculine, he must pursue a bodybuilder physique. Social media is an agent of:

1) influence
2) persuasion
3) motivation
4) inspiration

Answer :

Final answer:

The correct option is 1. Adam feels compelled to attain a body builder physique due to the influence of social media, which is an agent of influence that shapes his perception of masculinity and body image.

Explanation:

Adam is experiencing the influence of social media, specifically in how it shapes perceptions of masculinity and body image. The constant exposure to male bodybuilders and the association of their physique with masculinity can act as an agent of influence, encouraging Adam to adhere to these visual standards to embody what he perceives as a masculine identity. This phenomenon is supported by studies into media's role in perpetuating a 'culture of lack,' where consumers are led to believe they lack certain ideal attributes.

The pressure to conform to a particular body image is not restricted to women; men are equally subjected to social comparison initiated by media portrayals, leading to a variety of self-perception problems. Advertising capitalizes on this by creating idealized images that fuel consumers' dissatisfaction with their own bodies, spurring them on to attain the advertised ideal through fitness magazines, gym memberships, or even cosmetic enhancements.