I am planning an intervention on females that will involve 7 days of observation and documentation through various forms of media to gain a deeper understanding of how women perceive and value their bodies. In an intervention about women, respecting the freedom and safety of the participants is central to conducting an effective intervention, and in an environment of complete freedom and safety, participants may be more inclined to express their true thoughts and feelings.
Objectives
In order to gain a deeper understanding of how women perceive and evaluate their bodies, the project will be an intervention through 7 days of multimedia observation and recording, as well as two interviews before and after.
Specific plan
1,Interview each participant separately before the start of the programme.
Baseline of body perception:
a. How would you describe the current state of your perception of your body?
b. What physical characteristics do you feel most proud of?
Cultural and Social Influences:
a. How do you feel culture or society has influenced your perception of your body?
b. Are there specific social media or online platforms that make you feel negatively influenced about your body?
Emotional and Mental State:
a. How do you typically respond when you feel dissatisfied with your body?
b. How would you describe your emotional connection to your body?
2, Participants choose their own recording method (drawing, photography, text or music, etc.) to observe and record their bodies for 7 days.
Participants can choose the following media to record and observe their bodies:
Drawing: using a drawing board and paints, express the observations and feelings of various parts of the body.
Photography: Record different perspectives and moments of the body through camera or mobile phone.
Words: Compose a diary or essay detailing one’s perceptions and feelings about the body.
Music/Sound: Compose or record music to express the dynamics and rhythms of the body.
3, At the end of the session, interview each participant separately to get feedback.
Observation and Discovery:
a. Did you make any new discoveries or realisations during this intervention?
b. Which form of media (drawing, photography, text, or music) best helped you gain a deeper understanding of your body?
Changes and Impact:
a. Do you feel that this intervention has changed the way you view your body? If so, in what way?
b. Have you gained any new insights or new perspectives on your body?
Future Actions and Recommendations:
a. Based on this experience, do you have any specific action plans to improve your perception of your body?
b. What suggestions or feedback do you have for such an intervention?
Risks and Responses
Data sensitivity: Ensure that all data will be anonymised and that strict ethical guidelines are adhered to.
Participant Withdrawal: Participants will be clearly informed of their right to withdraw at any time prior to the start of the project.
Meanwhile, Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception provided me with an insightful theoretical framework to explore how women perceive and value their bodies in a more systematic and holistic way.Merleau-Ponty emphasises the body as a medium for perceiving the world, rather than just a machine or biological entity. At the end of the intervention, I will analyse the intervention in depth based on this theory.