The Body-Esteem Scale (Franzoi & Shields‚ 1984)

Instructions: On this page are listed a number of body parts and functions. Please read each item and indicate how you feel about this part or function of your own body using the following scale:

1 = Have strong negative feelings

2 = Have moderate negative feelings

3 = Have no feeling one way or the other

4 = Have moderate positive feelings

5 = Have strong positive feelings

-‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎--‎-

Factor Loading (see below)

Male Female

1. body scent                               _____                                      SA

2. appetite                                   _____              PC                   WC

3. nose                                         _____              PA                   SA

4. physical stamina                      _____              PC                   PC

5. reflexes                                    _____              PC                   PC

6. lips                                           _____              PA                   SA

7. muscular strength                    _____              UBS                PC

8. waist                                        _____              PC                   WC

9. energy level                             _____              PC                   PC

10. thighs                                      _____              PC                   WC

11. ears                                          _____              PA                   SA

12. biceps                                      _____              UBS                PC

13. chin                                         _____              PA                   SA

14. body build                               _____              UBS                WC

15. physical coordination              _____              UBS‚ PC         PC

16. buttocks                                  _____              PA                   WC

17. agility                                      _____              PC                   PC

18. width of shoulders                  _____              UBS

19. arms                                         _____              UBS

20. chest or breasts                        _____              UBS                SA

21. appearance of eyes                  _____              PA                   SA

22. cheeks/cheekbones                  _____              PA                   SA

23. hips                                          _____              PA                   WC

24. legs                                          _____                                      WC

25. figure or physique                   _____              UBS‚ PC         WC

26. sex drive                                  _____              UBS                SA

27. feet                                          _____              PA

28. sex organs                               _____              PA                   SA

29. appearance of stomach            _____              PC                   WC

30. health                                      _____              PC                   PC

31. sex activities                            _____                                      SA

32. body hair                                 _____                                      SA

33. physical condition                   _____              PC                   PC

34. face                                         _____              PA                   SA

35. weight                                     _____              PC                   WC

A factor analysis indicated that three factors emerged for males and females. These factors are (1) Physical Attractiveness (PA) for males or Sexual Attractiveness (SA) for females‚ (2) Upper Body Strength (UBS) for males or Weight Concern (WC) for females and (3) Physical Condition (PC) for both males and females. Means for these three factors can be computed for males and females but please note that these means cannot be compared because they are not based on the same items. Also note that two items load on two factors for males. The information under the Factor Loading heading should be de‎leted before the test is given - the information is provided for experimenters who wish to analyse the three factors separately.

To determine a subject’s score for a particular subscale of the Body Esteem Scale‚ simply add up the individual scores for items on the subscale. For example‚ for female sexual attractiveness‚ you would add up the subject’s ratings of the items comprising the sexual attractiveness subscale (13 items).

Franzoi‚ S.L. (1994). Further evidence of the reliability and validity of the body esteem scale. Journal of Clinical Psychology‚ 50‚ 237-239.

Franzoi‚ S.L. & Shields‚ S.A. (1984). The Body-Esteem Scale: Multidimensional structure and sex differences in a college population. Journal of Personality Assessment‚ 48‚ 173-178.