Body image can be described as a multidimensional construct that refers to a person’s conscious perception of their physical self (for e.g., a mental picture of one's physical body including size, shape, and appearance), as well as the thoughts and feelings that result from that perception.

​

Body image is linked to internal sensations, emotional experiences, feedback we receive from others, and plays a crucial role in an individual's self-concept. Self-perceptions of physical appearance comparison can strongly affect all areas of one's life and may lead to avoidance of social activities as well as resulting in body image disturbances like classically observed in Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorders (but not only).

​

Our group’s research interests span across a broad range of topics, focusing on the psychological and neural basis of Corporeal knowledge in both healthy populations and in patients suffering from Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Furthermore, we are interested in understanding how cultural standards in western societies might impact the formation of body image and how we appreciate the human body.  

​

We investigate body image by means of psychophysics, neurophysiological techniques (TMS and tDCS) as well as fMRI. 

​

The Body Image Lab is based in the school of Natural Sciences & Psychology, at Liverpool John Moores University, and is a part of the Research Centre in Brain and Behaviour.