The Sexualization–Objectification Link: Sexualization Affects the Way People See and Feel Toward Others

Abstract

Recent research has examined the sexualization–objectification link (i.e., whether sexualized individuals are appraised as if they were objects rather than persons). This research has found that sexualized individuals are more likely to be processed and categorized as if they were objects and are also perceived as possessing fewer humanlike traits than nonsexualized individuals. In addition, sexualization prompts negative behaviors such as social exclusion. Altogether, these findings shed light on mechanisms that might underlie violence toward sexualized individuals.

Why Might Women Justify Dating Violence? The Role of Men’s Sexual Objectification of Their Romantic Partners Within Heterosexual Relationships

“…Sexual objectification-the reduction of a person's value to their body or sexual body parts (Bartky, 1990)-affects perceptions, cognitions, and attitudes toward the objectified targets (e.g., Ruzzante et al, 2022) and causes numerous negative consequences for the victims (e.g., Roberts et al, 2017). Indeed, objectified targets, mostly women, are denied morality, mind, warmth, and competence (e.g., Heflick & Goldenberg, 2009;Loughnan et al, 2010), and they are elaborated similarly to real objects (Vaes et al, 2019), even at a cognitive level (see Bernard et al, 2020 for a recent review; see also Andrighetto et al, 2019). Thus, when sexual objectification occurs, targets are dehumanized and perceived as not (or less) worthy of moral treatment.…”

Non-Sexualized Images and Body-Neutral Messaging Foster Body Positivity Online

“…While some scholars note the empowering impact of sexualization, a large body of objectification scholarship documents the negative effects of sexualized media exposure on women and girls, particularly by heightening consciousness of one’s own appearance and sexual attractiveness (e.g., American Psychological Association, 2007; Ward, 2016). In addition, research demonstrates that sexualized women are more likely to be dehumanized by others, are considered less competent, and have less self-respect (Bernard et al, 2020; Heflick et al, 2011; Loughnan et al, 2010).…”

Neural dynamics of vicarious physical pain processing reflect impaired empathy toward sexually objectified versus non‐sexually objectified women

“…However, no neuroscientific evidence exists when the individual experiencing the physical pain is sexually objectified. Sexually objectified targets are dehumanized (Heflick & Goldenberg, 2009; Loughnan et al, 2010; Vaes et al, 2011), being reduced to objects of sexual nature, as evidenced by behavioral and neural measures (Bernard et al, 2020). Importantly, sexual harassment and aggression increase toward sexualized women (Blake et al, 2018; Loughnan et al, 2013; Pacilli et al, 2017; Rudman & Mescher, 2012; Vasquez et al, 2017), and the dampened observer's empathic reactions may play a pivotal role in this dangerous outcome (Eisenberg et al, 2010).…”