Abstract

The present study investigates the association between Muscle Dysmorphia (MD), characterized by excessive concern over muscle mass and physical appearance, and cognitive processing of human bodies. It is hypothesized that individuals with MD exhibit a «local» processing of bodies instead of a «holistic» one. The body inversion effect is employed as a measure of this cognitive processing. Participants completed the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) questionnaire and an inversion task involving bodies, faces, and buildings. Results reveal an inverse correlation between body appearance intolerance (MDDI - Appearance Intolerance) and the body inversion effect for accuracy, suggesting a more localized processing of bodies that could have implications in the genesis and manifestation of MD.