California State University, San Bernardino
Presenter: Samantha Coronado, California State University, San Bernardino
Project: Framed by others: A Technology-Based Investigation of Contextual Effects on Body Perception
Description of the project: This project examines how social and environmental context influences perceptions of female body size using a technology-driven experimental design. Through the use of computer-generated stimuli and digitally constructed environments, I investigated whether body size judgments are shaped by social comparison (being presented alone versus in a group) and by contextual cues associated with physical activity (gym settings) versus non-physical activity spaces (office settings). Participants viewed standardized digital images and provided body size ratings using a continuous computer-based scale, allowing for precise, quantitative measurement of perceptual bias. Evidence of success is demonstrated through the successful design and execution of a controlled repeated-measures study, the collection of high-resolution perceptual data, and the identification of consistent contrast effects in body size perception. Preliminary findings replicated prior research by showing that individuals are not perceived differently when surrounded by similar-sized bodies, but are rated as thinner or heavier when flanked by bodies of different sizes. These findings were strong enough to support acceptance and presentation at undergraduate research conferences, validating both the rigor and relevance of the project. The integration of digital stimuli and statistical analysis tools optimized experimental control and strengthened the reliability of the results. Key lessons learned include the importance of technology in minimizing bias and increasing precision in behavioral research, as well as the complexity of perception as a socially constructed process rather than an objective judgment. This project reinforced that visual biases particularly around body size can be subtle yet systematic, mirroring the ways stigma operates in healthcare, fitness, and public spaces. As an aspiring medical professional committed to health equity and advocacy, this research informed my understanding of how implicit bias can shape patient experiences and underscored the need for inclusive, evidence-based approaches in medicine and public health.
Biography:
Samantha Coronado is a second-year Biology major at California State University, San Bernardino pursuing a career in medicine grounded in health equity. She conducts undergraduate research in the Karlinsky Lab on contextual bias in body perception using technology-driven methods. Samantha is the founder and president of Samaritans in Action, advancing community-based health initiatives across her community, and serves as Vice President of the Medical and Pre-Health Student Society. She represents the College of Natural Sciences in student government, championing for access, accountability, and student-centered leadership.