The Cognitive Tax of Self-Objectification

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Stevens Aubrey ◽  
Ashton Gerding
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Music Videos ◽  
Sexual Objectification ◽  
Television Commercials ◽  
Factual Information ◽  
Subsequent Performance ◽  
Psychology Of Women ◽  
Self Objectification

Objectification theory ( Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997 , Psychology of Women Quarterly, 21, 173–206) posits that a consequence of living in a sexually objectifying culture is self-objectification, a cognitively taxing preoccupation with one’s appearance. The present study investigated the effects of exposure to sexual objectification of female artists in music videos, on female emerging adults’ self-objectification and their ability to cognitively process subsequent television commercials. Results indicated that exposure to music videos high in sexual objectification induced self-objectification and hindered participants’ subsequent performance in encoding visual information from commercials, but did not diminish participants’ ability to allocate resources to, or to recall factual information from, the commercials.

The Gendered Body Project: Motivational Components of Objectification Theory

2012 ◽  
pp. 322-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomi-Ann Roberts ◽  
Patricia L. Waters
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Sexual Objectification ◽  
Women's Bodies ◽  
Psychology Of Women ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Body Project ◽  
Objectification Of Women ◽  
Patriarchal Power ◽  
Self Objectification

In this chapter, we attempt to explore the motivational questions that arise when we view the psychology of women through the lens of objectification theory, which highlights the centrality of appearance concerns, or “body projects,” for girls and women today. We examine theoretical perspectives on what motivates the sexual objectification of women, considering the ways this treatment may reflect an adaptive evolutionary mating strategy, may serve as a tool for the maintenance of patriarchal power, or may lend existential “protection” against the creaturely, death reminders that women's bodies provide. We then investigate both developmental processes and situational/contextual features that motivate girls and women to internalize a sexually objectifying view on their physical selves. And, finally, we review evidence that self-objectification, though motivating in itself, carries significant consequences for their health and well-being.

Objectification Theory and Psychology of Women: A Decade of Advances and Future Directions

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie Moradi ◽  
Yu-Ping Huang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Sexual Objectification ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Integrative Framework ◽  
The Past ◽  
Psychology Of Women ◽  
Theory Research ◽  
Self Objectification

Fredrickson and Roberts (1997) proposed objectification theory as an integrative framework for understanding how women's socialization and experiences of sexual objectification are translated into mental health problems. This article reviews the past decade of research grounded in objectification theory and highlights needed directions for future scholarship in this area. Specifically, this article reviews research organized according to the following themes: (a) self-objectification and its proposed consequences, (b) sexual objectification experiences as a proposed precursor, and (c) disconnections from bodily functions. An overview of emerging objectification theory research with men is also provided. The review concludes with needed directions for future theoretical and research efforts aimed to advance the psychology of women.

How Sexual Objectification Generates Dehumanization in Western and Eastern Cultures

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Wollast ◽  
Elisa Puvia ◽  
Philippe Bernard ◽  
Passagorn Tevichapong ◽  
Olivier Klein
Keyword(s):  
Social Perception ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
Sexual Objectification ◽  
Intense Pain ◽  
Eastern Cultures ◽  
Theory Research ◽  
Self Objectification ◽  
Asian Sample

Abstract. Ever since Fredrickson and Roberts (1997) proposed objectification theory, research on self-objectification and – by extension – other-objectification has experienced a considerable expansion. However, most of the studies on sexual objectification have been conducted solely in Western populations. This study investigates whether the effect of target sexualization on social perception differs as a function of culture (Western vs. Eastern). Specifically, we asked a Western sample (Belgian, N = 62) and a Southeast Asian sample (Thai, N = 98) to rate sexualized versus nonsexualized targets. We found that sexual objectification results in dehumanization in both Western (Belgium) and Eastern (Thailand) cultures. Specifically, participants from both countries attributed less competence and less agency to sexualized than to nonsexualized targets, and they reported that they would administer more intense pain to sexualized than to nonsexualized targets. Thus, building on past research, this study suggests that the effect of target sexualization on dehumanization is a more general rather than a culture-specific phenomenon.

Sexually Objectifying Pop Music Videos, Young Women’s Self-Objectification, and Selective Exposure: A Moderated Mediation Model

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 428-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Karsay ◽  
Jörg Matthes
Keyword(s):  
Young Women ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Selective Exposure ◽  
Music Videos ◽  
Media Content ◽  
Sexual Objectification ◽  
Pop Music ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Moderated Mediation Model ◽  
Self Objectification

There is intense discussion among experts about the potential negative impact of sexually objectifying media content on young women. This article presents an experimental study in which young women were either exposed to pop music videos high in sexual objectification or to pop music videos low in sexual objectification. Women’s self-objectification and their subsequent media selection behavior were measured. The results indicate that exposure to sexually objectifying media increased self-objectification, which in turn increased the preference for objectifying media content. Self-esteem, the internalization of appearance ideals, and body mass index (BMI) did not influence these relationships. Implications of these findings are discussed.

How Sexual Objectification Generates Dehumanization in Western and Eastern Cultures - a Comparison Between Belgium and Thailand.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Wollast ◽  
Elisa Puvia ◽  
Philippe Bernard ◽  
Olivier Klein
Keyword(s):  
Social Perception ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
Sexual Objectification ◽  
Intense Pain ◽  
Eastern Cultures ◽  
Theory Research ◽  
Self Objectification ◽  
Asian Sample

Ever since Fredrickson and Roberts (1997) proposed objectification theory, research on self-objectification and – by extension – other-objectification has experienced a considerable expansion. However, most of the studies on sexual objectification have been conducted solely in Western populations. This study investigates whether the effect of target sexualization on social perception differs as a function of culture (Western vs. Eastern). Specifically, we asked a Western sample (Belgian, N = 62) and a Southeast Asian sample (Thai, N = 98) to rate sexualized versus nonsexualized targets. We found that sexual objectification results in dehumanization in both Western (Belgium) and Eastern (Thailand) cultures. Specifically, participants from both countries attributed less competence and less agency to sexualized than to nonsexualized targets, and they reported that they would administer more intense pain to sexualized than to nonsexualized targets. Thus, building on past research, this study suggests that the effect of target sexualization on dehumanization is a more general rather than a culture-specific phenomenon.

scholarly journals Self-Objectificationas Representation of Postfeminist Women Empowerment in Fifth Harmony’s Music Videos.

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bukhori Muslim
Keyword(s):  
American Studies ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Music Videos ◽  
Music Video ◽  
Women Empowerment ◽  
Girl Power ◽  
Work From Home ◽  
Self Objectification ◽  
Interdisciplinary Study ◽  
Online Sources

<p> This research attempts to describe the portrayal of postfeminism empowerment that is represented by Fifth Harmony’s self-objectification image in their four music videos; <em>Work from Home, Boss, Worth It </em>and <em>That’s My Girl. </em>This research is descriptive qualitative. The method is employed by watching, classifying and analyzing the data that are collected by selecting the scenes, lyrics and other elements of music video representing the image of self-objectification and postfeminism. The supporting data consist of reviews, interviews and information taken from books, journals, articles, online sources and researches. Since the research is in the scope of American Studies which is an interdisciplinary study, it involves some disciplines that are applied in the form of theory including objectification theory, postfeminism theory, semiotic theory and theory of music video. From the analysis, Fifth Harmony in their music videos use their self-objectification image to portray the values of women empowerment in post-feminism era. The music videos are portraying the issues of domesticity (femininity and sexuality) as women’s choice and source of power, confident and successful independent women as a symbol of Girl Power and sisterhood as source ofwomen’s power in the era of post-feminism.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>

Seksuele objectivering in een vampierenromance

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Vandenbosch ◽  
Eline Frison ◽  
Steven Eggermont
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Interaction Effect ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sexual Objectification ◽  
Main Character ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Self Objectification

Sexual objectification in a vampire romance: An experimental study towards the effect of the movie Twilight on self-objectification among adolescent girls Sexual objectification in a vampire romance: An experimental study towards the effect of the movie Twilight on self-objectification among adolescent girls The present study investigates whether self-objectification is induced by exposure to a popular, but sexually objectifying teenage movie (i.e. Twilight). To test this hypothesis, an experiment in 70 adolescent girls (Mage = 15,07, SDage = 1,51) was conducted. Results showed, first, a significant effect of the Twilight movie on self-objectification. Girls who had been exposed to Twilight reported a higher level of self-objectification in the posttest compared to the pretest and to the control group. Second, a significant interaction effect of exposure to Twilight and strong identification with the main character was found. Findings are discussed in light of objectification theory.

Examining Objectification Theory

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 745-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie S. Hill ◽  
Ann R. Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sexual Objectification ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Women's Bodies ◽  
Heterosexual Women ◽  
Self Objectification ◽  
The Relationship

Many theorists have suggested that living in a culture in which women's bodies are sexually objectified socializes girls and women to treat themselves as objects. This study developed a theory-based measure of cultural sexual objectification and explored the relationship between women's reports of cultural sexual objectification experiences and self-objectification. The possible moderating effects of sexual orientation were explored using hierarchical moderated regressions. The major findings, in a sample of 361 women, were (a) women's reports of sexualized gaze/harassment were significantly related to their own self-objectification, (b) lesbian and heterosexual women reported similar levels of sexualized gaze/harassment, and (c) the relationship between sexualized gaze/harassment and self-objectification was not significantly different for the lesbian and heterosexual subsamples. Potential implications for counseling and directions for future research are discussed.

A Systematic Literature Review Exploring Objectification and Motherhood

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-538
Author(s):  
Olivia Donati Beech ◽  
Leah Kaufmann ◽  
Joel Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Fear Of Childbirth ◽  
Healthy Relationships ◽  
Generational Effects ◽  
Self Objectification

Objectification theory provides a theoretical framework for understanding how socialization and experiences of objectification can lead women to place excessive value on their appearance—a process known as self-objectification. Despite the number of women that are mothers, the application of objectification theory to motherhood has been relatively limited. This review synthesizes the available research exploring objectification during motherhood. We conducted a systematic search for published and unpublished articles that quantitatively examined the objectification of, or self-objectification during, motherhood across five databases in March 2019. The search yielded 23 studies across 20 articles, which in combination revealed strong evidence of societal objectification of mothers and self-objectification by mothers. Effects were found for pregnant and postpartum women, in both community and university samples of mothers. Outcomes included more body shame, concerns about the negative impact of breastfeeding, barriers to breastfeeding, fear of childbirth, disordered eating, and greater appearance concerns in mothers, and sexualized behaviors and body surveillance for their children. Some evidence indicated that self-objectifying may be protective for mothers in certain situations, but it was mostly associated with harmful consequences. Finally, some evidence suggested that there may be age and generational effects of objectification, which may impact all women, including mothers. We hope these findings highlight the benefits for women to engage in healthy relationships with their bodies and to consider the functionality of their body as it changes in preparation for entering motherhood.

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