Showing papers on "Sexual objectification published in 2010"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the role of depersonalization in objectification and find that when people are objectified, they are denied their personhood and treated as if they lack mental states and moral status associated with personhood.
Abstract: Department of Development and Socialization, University ofPadova, Padua, ItalyAbstractPhilosophers have argued that when people are objectified they are treated as if they lack the mental states and moralstatus associated with personhood. These aspects of objectification have been neglected by psychologists. This researchinvestigates the role of depersonalization in objectification. In Study 1, objectified women were attributed less mind andwere accorded lesser moral status than non-objectified women. In Study 2, we replicated this effect with male and femaletargetsandextendedittoincludeperceptionsofcompetenceandpainattribution.Further,weexploredwhethertargetandperceiver gender qualify depersonalization. Overall, this research indicates that when people are objectified they aredenied personhood. Copyright # 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.When objectification occurs, the person is depersonalizedAndrea Dworkin (2000, p 30)Objectification has interested philosophers since the term was introduced by Immanuel Kant. Kant arguedthat the riskof objectification is present in all sexual encounters, where a person can become merely a need-satisfying ‘‘object ofappetite’’(Papadaki,2007).InKant’sview,objectifiedpeoplearedeniedhumanityandregardedasmeanstoothers’ends.Nussbaum (1995) elaborated this idea, arguing that objectification has many facets, some of which are more morallyproblematic than others. Treating a person as an object is especially troubling when certain human characteristics aredenied (i.e., autonomy, subjectivity, agency). From both Kant’s and Nussbaum’s standpoint, objectification has two keyfeatures: Emphasis on the target’s instrumentality and denial of their humanness or personhood. The second feature,depersonalization
301 citations
TL;DR: Recalled childhood harassment for gender nonconformity was linked with eating disorder symptoms through a positive series of relations involving internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness, body surveillance, and body shame.
Abstract: On the basis of integrating objectification theory research with research on body image and eating problems among sexual minority men, the present study examined relations among sociocultural and psychological correlates of eating disorder symptoms with a sample of 231 sexual minority men. Results of a path analysis supported tenets of objectification theory with the sample. Specifically, findings were consistent with relations posited in objectification theory among sexual objectification experiences, internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness, body surveillance, body shame, and eating disorder symptoms. Within this set of positive relations, internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness partially mediated the link of sexual objectification experiences with body surveillance; body surveillance partially mediated the relation of internalization with body shame; and body shame partially mediated the relation of body surveillance with eating disorder symptoms. In addition to these relations, internalized homophobia was related to greater eating disorder symptoms through body shame, and recalled childhood harassment for gender nonconformity was linked with eating disorder symptoms through a positive series of relations involving internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness, body surveillance, and body shame.
203 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors integrated social comparison theory and self-esteem into the objectification theory framework to broaden our understanding of sexual objectification as it relates to body shame and disordered eating.
Abstract: This study integrated social comparison theory and self-esteem into the objectification theory framework to broaden our understanding of sexual objectification as it relates to body shame and disordered eating. Women (N = 274) from a Midwestern U.S. college completed measures of sexual objectification via appearance feedback, body surveillance, body shame, body comparison, self-esteem, and disordered eating. Structural equation modeling indicated that this expanded model fit the data. Appearance feedback predicted body surveillance, body comparison, self-esteem and—unexpectedly—disordered eating. Body surveillance, body comparison, and self-esteem predicted body shame. Furthermore, hierarchical moderated regression revealed that body comparison moderated the body surveillance—disordered eating link; women who frequently monitored their body and compared it to others’ bodies reported the highest disordered eating.
178 citations
TL;DR: The majority of women disliked the body condition, indicating that they found having their bodies gazed at aversive, and predicted that when objectified, women would narrow their social presence by spending little time talking, particularly when interacting with men.
Abstract: The present experiment tested the impact of sexual objectification on women's behavior in social interactions. We predicted that when objectified, women would narrow their social presence by spending little time talking, particularly when interacting with men. Participants (males and females) gave an oral introduction of themselves to an alleged interaction partner (male or female). Objectification was manipulated by having participants believe their bodies were either visually inspected or not inspected during this introduction. Specifically, participants introduced themselves through a closed-circuit device in one of three conditions: body (videotaped from the neck down), face (videotaped from the neck up), or audio (no videotaping). Women who were in the body condition and thought they were interacting with men spent less time talking than participants in all other groups. In addition, the majority of women disliked the body condition, indicating that they found having their bodies gazed at aversive. Implications for women's behavior in mixed-sex contexts are discussed.
121 citations
TL;DR: This paper investigated women's attitudes towards cosmetic surgery within the framework of objectification theory and found that sexual objectification and body shame uniquely predicted social motives for cosmetic surgery, whereas self-surveillance uniquely predicted intrapersonal motives.
Abstract: This study investigated cosmetic surgery attitudes within the framework of objectification theory. One hundred predominantly White, British undergraduate women completed self-report measures of impression management, global self-esteem, interpersonal sexual objectification, self-surveillance, body shame, and three components of cosmetic surgery attitudes. As expected, each of the objectification theory variables predicted greater consideration of having cosmetic surgery in the future. Also, as expected, sexual objectification and body shame uniquely predicted social motives for cosmetic surgery, whereas self-surveillance uniquely predicted intrapersonal motives for cosmetic surgery. These findings suggest that women’s acceptance of cosmetic surgery as a way to manipulate physical appearance can be partially explained by the degree to which they view themselves through the lenses of sexual and self-objectification.
97 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the joint impact of trait and state objectification on cognitive load among women and found that women high in trait self-objectification exhibited longer response latencies on a Letter Number Sequencing task.
Abstract: Objectification theory posits that as a result of pervasive sexual objectification of the female body in American culture, women are socialized to take an observers' perspective towards the self, resulting in self-objectification. This tendency, combined with an objectifying context, is hypothesized to increase cognitive load, thereby impairing performance. Two experiments tested this hypothesis by investigating the joint impact of trait and state objectification on cognitive load among women. Results of the first experiment showed longer response latencies on a Letter Number Sequencing task, specifically among women high in trait self-objectification (TSO), in a highly objectifying condition. The second experiment replicated results from the first while also exploring possible correlates of the effects. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
89 citations
TL;DR: Online dynamics of participating in this online sexual marketplace for MSM of color have implications for the power balance in Internet-mediated sexual liaisons, including sexual decision making and sexual risk.
Abstract: The explosive growth in Internet use by MSM to find sexual partners has been noted in the research literature. However, little attention has been given to the impact of participating in this online sexual marketplace for MSM of color, despite race/ethnicity as a frequently used selection criterion in personal ads or profiles. Six focus group discussions [n=50], and 35 in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with African American, Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander MSM in Los Angeles, which included discussion of their use of Internet sites to meet/interact with other MSM. Men reported race/ethnicity as a pervasive and powerful factor in facilitating or derailing Internet-mediated sexual encounters. The racialized interactions that MSM of color reported ranged from simple expressions of race-based preferences to blatantly discriminatory/hostile interactions and often demeaning race-based sexual objectification. Experiences of rejection and a perceived hierarchy of value in the sexual market based on race had definite costs for these MSM using these online sites. Furthermore, the private and solitary nature of seeking partners online meant that there was little to buffer the corrosive aspects of those negative experiences. These online dynamics have implications for the power balance in Internet-mediated sexual liaisons, including sexual decision-making and sexual risk.
86 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the sexist content of 153 Internet jokes and demonstrate that sexist jokes offer portrayals of misogyny that serve many functions, some of which include the sexual objectification of women, devaluation of their personal and professional abilities, and support of violence against women.
Abstract: Sexism is a recurrent part of women's everyday lives. One understudied area within gender scholarship is the content and implications of sexist humor as a form of sexism. In this article, we explore the sexist content of 153 Internet jokes. Our analysis demonstrates that sexist jokes offer portrayals of misogyny that serve many functions, some of which include the sexual objectification of women, devaluation of their personal and professional abilities, and support of violence against women. Implications of such humor are discussed as well as future research possibilities in this area.
55 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Men's perception of women's sexual intent in women is examined in the context of the current widespread sexual objectification of women and the social construction of female beauty in sexual terms, as well as the finding that in reality there is no connection between style of dress and sexual victimization as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Victims of sexual violence are often blamed for precipitating their own assault with their so-called "provocative" body-revealing style of dress, which is viewed as conveying consent for sexual advances. To explore some of the grounds for this allegation as well as its accurateness, the present study examines the attributions made by both sexes regarding the motivation for women's sexualized appearance. The factual connection between revealing clothing and actual occurrences of sexual invasions is examined as well. The results demonstrate a gender-based attribution gap wherein men report perceiving the sexualized look as indicating an interest in sex and intent to seduce, whereas women cite their wish to feel and look attractive as its primary cause, while entirely rejecting the seduction claim. This gap is examined in the context of the current widespread sexual objectification of women and the social construction of female beauty in sexual terms, as well as the finding that in reality there is no connection between style of dress and sexual victimization of any sort. Keywords: Misperception of sexual intent, Rape myths, Body-revealing appearance ********** Blaming the victim of sexual violence for precipitating her own victimization is a rather common practice in present society (Ardovini-Brooker & Caringella-MacDonald, 2002; Burt, 1980; Cowan, 2000; De Judicibus & McCabe, 2001; Lonsway & Fitzgerald, 1994; Kopper, 1996; Koss & Harvey, 1991). These stereotyped attitudes, generally subsumed in the term "rape myths" (Lonsway & Fitzgerald, 1994), typically revolve around the notion that victims somehow contributed to their own victimization and are therefore responsible for its occurrence (Koss & Harvey, 1991). Perpetrators frequently use these claims in their defense, and society is all too willing, even eager, to cooperate with this line of argumentation and lay the bulk of the blame on those who were attacked. Evidence attests to a fairly wide acceptance of these prejudiced collective beliefs among the general population, with over 50% of the public endorsing them to some degree or another (Buddie & Miller, 2002; Burt 1980). Significantly, men appear to endorse them to a considerably greater degree than women (De Judicibus & McCabe, 2001; Jimenez & Abreu, 2003; Kopper, 1996; Russell, 2004). Among the most prevalent of these allegations is a charge linking sexual aggression to the victim's so called "provocative", revealing wear (Burt 1980; Lonsway & Fitzgerald, 1994; Koss & Harvey, 1991). The premise behind this particular rape myth is that women dress in body-revealing attire in order to seduce men and convey an interest in sexual advances. This supposedly makes them culpable for any subsequent sexual invasions by the men they had allegedly seduced. But is this presumption accurate? Do women in fact have seduction in mind when they dress revealingly, or are their actual motives completely different and entirely misunderstood by men? To date, there has been no empirical examination of the claims embodied in the myth proclaiming provocation and seduction, nor has there been an attempt to uncover the genuine motivations underlying women's choice to dress in a revealing fashion. The present study seeks to fill this gap. Keeping in mind that no behavior on the part of the victim ever justifies violence, the present study investigates the merits of this underlying premise in order to question the validity of the myth it fuels. It is argued that to the degree that it is disproved, so is the related rape myth. To that end, women's motivation for dressing revealingly is examined alongside men's perceptions of these motives. The goal is to establish whether there is indeed a misunderstanding among the sexes, such that men ascribe sexual intentions to minimal clothing where no such intentions exit at all. Men's perception of sexual intent in women Men's perception of women's sexual intent must be examined in a social context, most notably in relation to the widespread practice of sexual objectification of women, so central to it. …
51 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that gender and ethnic stereotypes play an important role in shaping partner choice and have implications for sexual risk and relationship formation.
Abstract: This qualitative study explored partner selection in a sample of immigrant Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). In-depth interviews were conducted with men living in the greater New York metropolitan area who had been born in Brazil (n = 10), Colombia (n = 14), or the Dominican Republic (n = 9). One focus group was conducted with MSM from each of the three countries (9 Brazilian, 11 Colombian, and 5 Dominican participants). A grounded theory approach revealed three main themes relating to partner selection. The first concerned stereotypes of how Latino and Anglo-American men tend to behave in their sexual encounters and relationships. The participants perceived Latinos to be more affectionate and passionate, whereas they saw Anglo-American men as more independent and practical. These cultural discrepancies sometimes resulted in a preference for Latino partners. A second theme concerned stereotypes of the national groups, including expectations that Brazilians would be sexy and sensual and that Dominicans would have large penises. As found in other research on MSM of color, ethnic and national stereotypes were associated with experiences of sexual objectification. The third theme addressed the importance of masculine characteristics in sexual attraction and partner selection. Negative feelings towards effeminate men who did not conform to normative male physical or behavioral presentation reflect a stigma found inside and outside of the gay community. These findings suggest that gender and ethnic stereotypes play an important role in shaping partner choice and have implications for sexual risk and relationship formation.
29 citations
TL;DR: The Connectedness to Nature (CN) refers to the extent to which an individual's sense of self includes an awareness of himself or herself as part of the natural world as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Pervasive sexual objectification of women in our culture trains women to take an observer's (critical) perspective on the physical self. This self-objectification preoccupies women with chronic body surveillance and shame as they evaluate the extent to which they fall short of the feminine beauty ideal portrayed in popular media—an ideal that requires substantial modification of the natural body. Connectedness to nature (CN) refers to the extent to which an individual's sense of self includes an awareness of himself or herself as part of the natural world. CN is positively related to proenvironmental attitudes and behavior. Two correlational studies and an experiment supported a theoretical model in which self-objectification and internalization of the feminine beauty ideal degrade women's CN—because they alienate women from their natural bodies and limit women's nature-embedded experiences—leading to less environmentally friendly behavior.
Book•
31 Mar 2010
TL;DR: In this article, the authors define three types of love: romantic love, infatuation, and robust concern, and define sexual desire, sexual pleasure, and sexual objectification as the necessary and sufficient features of romantic love.
Abstract: Part I: Love Chapter 1: What Is Love? 1. Three Types of Love 2. Characterizing Romantic Love 3. Romantic Love as an Emotion 4. Generally Necessary Features of Romantic Love 5. Romantic Love and Infatuation Chapter 2: Romantic Love 1. Aristophanes on Union 2. Nozick, Soble, and Solomon on Union 3. Romantic Love and Robust Concern 4. Sex and the Durability of Romantic Love Chapter 3: The Basis of Romantic Love 1. Socrates' Speech in Praise of Romantic Love 2. Loving for Reasons 3. What Do We Love? Properties of the Beloved 4. Different Types of Properties and Love's Durability and Depth Chapter 4: Love and Morality 1. Love and Morality 2. Moral Restrictions on Love 3. The Prudentiality of Love Part II: Sex Chapter 5: What Is Sex? 1. Defining Sexual Acts 2. Defining Sexual Desire 3. Defining Sexual Pleasure 4. Casual Sex, Adultery, and Prostitution Chapter 6: Sex, Pleasure, and Morality 1. Sexual Pleasure and Other Values of Sex Acts 2. Consequentialism and Sex 3. Virtues, Vices, and Sex Chapter 7: Sexual Objectification 1. What Is Sexual Objectification? 2. What Is Morally Wrong with Sexual Objectification? 3. Nussbaum on Objectification 4. Soble on Objectification 5. Kant and Objectification 6. Women and Pornography Chapter 8: Sexual Perversion and Fantasy 1. Sexual Perversion 2. Fantasy Part III: Marriage Chapter 9: What Is Marriage? 1. Defining Marriage 2. Monogamy Chapter 10: Controversies Over Same-Sex Marriage 1. Preliminaries 2. The Natural Law Tradition 3. The Slippery Slope Argument 4. The "Undermining Marriage" Argument 5. Richard Mohr's Argument for Same-Sex Marriage 6. Cheshire Calhoun's Argument for Same-Sex Marriage 7. Claudia Card's Argument Against Same-Sex Marriage 8. The Assimilation and Cultural Injustice Arguments Against Same-Sex Marriage 9. The Political Question
TL;DR: The authors found that men are less likely than women to perceive the negative psychological impact of self-objectification in other people, and that this difference was not due to participants' own state of selfobjectification.
Abstract: Although the negative psychological impact of self-objectification is well-documented, whether people generally recognize this impact in other people remains unclear. We hypothesized that due to their relatively limited experience with self-objectification, men are less likely than women to perceive its ramifications. In Study 1a, where 132 U.S. undergraduates were induced to perceive a female target as self-objectifying, women saw more negative emotions in her. Study 1b, using a U.S. online sample (N = 170), indicated that this difference was not due to participants’ own state of self-objectification. In Study 2, when participants (U.S. online sample, N = 84) identified with objectified targets, women again reported stronger negative reactions, further supporting our hypothesis. Implications and future directions are discussed.
01 Jan 2010
TL;DR: In this article, a qualitative case study of women's experiences in a sexually objectifying environment includes interviews with 11 women as well as observational data and data classification via the constant comparative method resulted in nine themes: reasons for involvement, ambivalence, counterfeit intimacy, sexual objectification, resistance strategies, power, negative relationships with women, changes over time, and judgment.
Abstract: Research examining tenets of Objectification Theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) has given little attention to increasing our understanding of specific environments and subcultures, such as beauty pageants, cheerleading, and cocktail waitressing that exist within our culture where sexual objectification of women is encouraged, promoted, and socially sanctioned. This qualitative case study of women’s experiences in a sexually objectifying environment includes interviews with 11 women as well as observational data. Data classification via the constant comparative method resulted in nine themes: reasons for involvement, ambivalence, counterfeit intimacy, sexual objectification, resistance strategies, power, negative relationships with women, changes over time, and judgment. Corresponding subthemes are also described and interpretation is provided in light of relevant literature. Women’s experiences in a sexually objectifying environment are further discussed in terms of the need for resources and power and the resulting conflicts that women experience in terms of relational dynamics and personal safety.
01 Jan 2010
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the joint impact of trait and state objectification on cognitive load among women and found that women high in trait self-objectification exhibited longer response latencies on a Letter Number Sequencing task.
Abstract: Objectification theory posits that as a result of pervasive sexual objectification of the female body in American culture, women are socialized to take an observers’ perspective towards the self, resulting in self-objectification. This tendency, combined with an objectifying context, is hypothesized to increase cognitive load, thereby impairing performance. Two experiments tested this hypothesis by investigating the joint impact of trait and state objectification on cognitive load among women. Results of the first experiment showed longer response latencies on a Letter Number Sequencing task, specifically among women high in trait self-objectification (TSO), in a highly objectifying condition. The second experiment replicated results from the first while also exploring possible correlates of the effects. Copyright # 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.