Y08W24VC Theme Words — Body image & wellbeing

The way something is understood, interpreted, or seen by a person or group.

Word family: perceive (v.), perceptive (adj.)

Example: Media literacy helps young people understand how their perceptions of beauty are shaped by digital imagery.

Synonyms: view, understanding, impression

Collocations: public perception, self-perception, shape perception

The power to affect how a person thinks, feels, or behaves, or the effect itself.

Word family: influential (adj.), influence (v.)

Example: The influence of social media on young people’s body image has been the subject of growing research.

Synonyms: impact, effect, power

Collocations: have an influence, negative influence, media influence

A person's overall sense of who they are, including their beliefs, values, and views of their own abilities.

Example: A positive self-concept is associated with greater resilience, higher academic engagement, and better mental health outcomes.

Synonyms: self-image, identity, self-perception

Collocations: positive self-concept, develop a self-concept, influence one's self-concept

To strengthen or support an idea, behaviour, or belief, making it more firmly established.

Word family: reinforcement (n.)

Example: Media images of idealised bodies reinforce unrealistic beauty standards that can harm young people’s self-esteem.

Synonyms: strengthen, entrench, confirm

Collocations: reinforce stereotypes, reinforce behaviour, reinforce a message

To make something stronger, more powerful, or more effective.

Word family: strength (n.), strong (adj.)

Example: Including diverse representations in media can strengthen young people’s sense of identity and belonging.

Synonyms: reinforce, build up, enhance

Collocations: strengthen the argument, strengthen wellbeing, strengthen a position

To confirm, support, or make something feel accepted and worthwhile.

Word Breakdown: -ate (suffix forming a verb)

Word family: validation (n.), validated (adj.)

Example: When students’ experiences are validated by their teachers, they are more likely to feel safe and engaged in learning.

Synonyms: confirm, affirm, recognise

Collocations: validate feelings, validate an argument, seek validation

To establish or verify that something is definitely true or correct.

Word family: confirmation (n.), confirmed (adj.)

Example: The second study confirmed the findings of the first, providing strong evidence for the proposed link.

Synonyms: verify, establish, support

Collocations: confirm findings, confirm a theory, confirmed by

To provide evidence to prove or support a claim.

Word Breakdown: sub- (prefix meaning ‘under’)

Example: Writers must substantiate each claim with relevant and reliable evidence rather than relying on assertion alone.

Synonyms: support, prove, back up

Collocations: substantiate a claim, substantiate with evidence, fail to substantiate

A writing function phrase that signals the evidence just presented strengthens or confirms the argument being made.

Example: The use of aspirational language throughout the advertisement appeals to insecurity; this reinforces the argument that advertising manipulates rather than informs.

Synonyms: this strengthens, this supports, this confirms

Collocations: this reinforces the idea, this reinforces the argument, this therefore reinforces