Lacan - The Mirror Stage

Lacan's theory of 'the mirror stage' refers to the idea that when baby's look into the mirror they believe that what they see is superior in comparison to themselves. They fail to understand that the reflection they see is them and instead set the reflection as an icon to worship and will strive to correspond to the image in which they see.

In the same way women often take on the same behaviour in cinema; the ideal depiction that they see on screen is a representation of a superior being that they see and straight away wish to transform themselves into. By seeing the ideal image on screen it therefore can result in the female audience believing that they are nothing more than an object to be watched and admired. Because of this people can develop body dysmorphia.