「身體」是人類科學的基本概念。本文整理現有的文獻，分別從經驗主義、觀念主義、存在主義及現象學的哲學觀點論述「身體」的概念，以及身體與心智的關係。「體現」及「身體心像」是本文兩個主要概念，以Merleau-Ponty的哲學觀點闡述「體現」，已成為理論發展的新領域，「體現」的研究必須著重在生活經驗，例如身體心像的研究，以Schilder的社會心理學觀點為基本架構，來解釋「身體心像」概念；同時從社會文化的觀點，探討東西方女性的身體心像。身體的形狀及大小對女性的自我心像扮演重要角色，每個人的身體心像終其一生都在演變，不斷地被建構、解構，又重建起來。無論是正向或負向的身體心像都深深影響一個人的心理層面，女人尤其容易受到影響。本文豐富的論述，可做為「身體」知識的主體，並提供臨床實務及研究的參考。

“Body” is a basic concept of both the natural and human sciences. This extensive review of the literature explores the various philosophical approaches to the body, including empiricism, idealism, existentialism and phenomenology, as well as the relationship between body and mind. Embodiment and body image are the two main concepts of body addressed in this article. Merleau-Ponty's perspective on embodiment, an important new area of theory development, emphasizes that embodiment research must focus on life experiences, such as the study of body image. Using Schilder's framework of psychosocialology, this article provides a comprehensive understanding of the concept of body image and women's perspectives on the “body” in both Western culture and Eastern cultures. Body size and shape significantly influence the self-image of women. Body image is something that develops and changes throughout one's life span and is continually being constructed, destructed, and reconstructed. Personal body image has important psychological effects on the individual, especially women. This integrative review can make a significant contribution to knowledge in this area and, consequently, to related practice and research.