A study led by the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), which was supported by the European Research Council (ERC), shows that the size and diversity of social networks have a significant influence on the perception of one’s own body. The results could open up new approaches to dealing with diseases such as dysmorphophobia or anorexia.

The study included over 100 participants and used the so-called “footsteps illusion”, in which the sounds of footsteps are manipulated in real time to create the impression of a lighter or heavier body. These acoustic changes led to measurable behavioral, emotional, and physiological responses that emphasize the malleability of body image through sensory stimuli. The subjects walked while listening to three variations of the footstep sounds—unchanged, lighter, or heavier—and then answered questionnaires about their body image, possible eating disorder symptoms, and the structure of their social support.

The analysis found that individuals with more extensive and diverse social networks were less susceptible to the illusion and tended to have a more positive body image as well as fewer signs of eating disorders. In contrast, people with smaller networks showed stronger reactions to the manipulated sounds, suggesting that social embedding strengthens the stability of body perception and protects against distorting external influences.

The researchers conclude that a broad circle of friends has a beneficial influence on self-perception and depends not only on individual factors, but also on the number of supportive people in the environment. These findings could form the basis for social interventions that strengthen a positive body image and reduce the stigma around body weight.

In addition, the UC3M i_mBODY Lab is working on sensory technologies that can specifically change body perception. Mobile applications are intended to support those affected by negative self-perception, with a focus on practical application. The study was funded by the ERC (Grant Agreement No. 101002711, BODYinTRANSIT project), the BBVA Foundation, the Spanish Ministry of Science (BASIC and SENSEBEAT-DS projects), as well as the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the Horizon 2020 programme (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 801538).

Further information:

Imbodylab – Interactive Multisensory Body-centredExperiences at the Intersectionof Neuroscience & Technology

Original Paper:

Sound effects on body perception vary with the social support network of individuals: iScience

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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