Internalizing objectification: Objectified individuals see themselves as less warm, competent, moral, and human. (15th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Loughnan, Steve; Baldissarri, Cristina; Spaccatini, Federica; Elder, Laura
• Other Names: Vaes Jeroen guestEditor.; Loughnan Steve guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: British journal of social psychology. Volume 56:Part 2(2017:Jun.)
• Page Start: 217
• Page End: 232
• Publication Date: 2017-02-15
• Subjects: objectification -- self‐perception -- sexual objectification -- workplace objectification; Social psychology -- Periodicals; 302.05
• DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-6665

Abstract

Abstract : People objectify others by viewing them as less warm, competent, moral, and human (Heflick & Goldenberg, 2009, J. Exp. Soc. Psychol ., 45, 598; Vaes, Paladino, & Puvia, 2011, Eur. J. Soc. Psychol ., 41, 774). In two studies, we examined whether the objectified share this view of themselves, internalizing their objectification. In Study 1 ( N = 114), we examined sexual objectification, and in Study 2 ( N = 62), we examined workplace objectification. Consistent across both studies, we found that objectification resulted in participants seeing themselves as less warm, competent, moral (Study 2 only), and lacking in human nature and human uniqueness. These effects were robust to perceiver gender and familiarity (Study 1), and whether another person or a situation caused the objectification (Study 2). In short, the objectified see themselves the manner they are seen by their objectifiers: as lacking warmth, competence, morality, and humanity.