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Objectification Theory: Toward Understanding Women's Lived Experiences and Mental Health Risks

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This article offers objectification theory as a framework for understanding the experiential consequences of being female in a culture that sexually objectifies the female body. Objectification theory posits that girls and women are typically acculturated to internalize an observer's perspective as a primary view of their physical selves. This perspective on self can lead to habitual body monitoring, which, in turn, can increase women's opportunities for shame and anxiety, reduce opportunities for peak motivational states, and diminish awareness of internal bodily states. Accumulations of such experiences may help account for an array of mental health risks that disproportionately affect women: unipolar depression, sexual dysfunction, and eating disorders. Objectification theory also illuminates why changes in these mental health risks appear to occur in step with life-course changes in the female body.
... Lyrics also perpetuated the objectification of women, viewing women as sexual objects of male desire, with focus being on women's sexuality, disregarding personality, and agency, (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). Notably, in the title of "Baby It's Cold Outside," and repeated 10 times throughout the lyrics, the woman is referred to as "baby." ...
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Given the lack of formal sexuality education in the United States, adolescents often rely on media, such as music, for information about sexual behavior, including sexual consent. However, popular music lyrics may perpetuate expectations for sexual behavior and consent communication that reflect unequal power between men and women, as well as sexual coercion. In this study, we used critical discourse analysis to examine the lyrics of two popular songs that have sparked public discussion of sexual consent and sexual coercion, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and “Blurred Lines.” Grounded in sexual socialization and sexual script theory, we identified three recurring patterns within both songs, including: (1) Traditional Sexual Scripts, (2) Gendered Societal Expectations, and (3) Consent Miscommunication. Guided by our findings, we provide suggestions for educators to combat messages of traditional gendered norms, rape myths, and sexual coercion within music lyrics and incorporate media literacy into sexuality education.
... Behavior when Analyzed According to Gender As detailed in the study there are no statistically significant differences in appearance management behavior between male and female teacher education interns at Davao del Norte State College. The implications are influential Traditionally, women have been stereotypically associated with greater emphasis on grooming and attire compared to men (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). However, this study asserts that within the specific context of teacher education in Davao del Norte State College, these genderbased factors, if present at all, do not reach statistical significance. ...
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Appearance management involves the deliberate efforts individuals make to regulate and present their physical appearance, often shaped by cultural, institutional, and professional expectations. For pre-service teachers, cultivating a professional image is vital as they transition into classroom roles. This study explores the factors influencing appearance management behavior among teacher education interns at Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), focusing on the roles of institutional policies, workplace culture, and individual attitudes. Specifically, the research aims to determine the demographic profile of the interns, assess their level of appearance management behavior, and identify significant differences based on gender and program major. Additionally, the study intends to propose an action plan to promote professional appearance standards. Utilizing a quantitative research design, data were collected through a structured survey from 140 fourth-year teacher education students. The instrument collected demographic data and responses on appearance management behavior. Frequency, median, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were employed to analyze the data. Findings revealed that teacher-interns exhibited high levels of appearance management behavior, reflecting strong self-perception, cultural sensitivity, and authenticity. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in behavior based on gender or program/major. In response to these findings, the study recommends implementing a comprehensive action plan comprising discussion forums, professional appearance workshops, and a standardized dress code handbook. These interventions aim to foster culturally sensitive, inclusive, and professional environments for future educators.
... Por tanto, el deseo femenino aparece como irrelevante y subordinado al placer masculino (Menéndez, 2020), el cual se obtiene ocupando una posición activa frente SOCIOLOGÍA Y TECNOCIENCIA, 15.2 (2025): 151-172 ISSN: 1989-8487 a la subordinación de las mujeres (Alario, 2018). Desde esta perspectiva, lo importante es cosificar a las mujeres (Fredrickson y Roberts, 1997) y convertirlas en servidoras sexuales con un amplio desempeño sexual (Cobo, 2020). De esta manera se "reivindica a las mujeres objeto sexual" (Favaro y De Miguel, 2016, p.5) pues "se objetiviza a las mujeres y sus cuerpos como si fueran cosas, se las desprovee de agencia, negando su diferenciación y rol de sujetos y actores políticos" (González y Torrado, 2019, p.2). Frente a esta propuesta androcéntrica, el feminismo radical, como corriente crítica, plantea una sexualidad igualitaria basada en el placer mutuo, al entender que el placer no es una prerrogativa exclusiva de los varones (Cobo, 2020). ...
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El presente artículo tiene la finalidad de conocer las experiencias de violencia sexual que han sufrido las mujeres de distintas generaciones así como conocer si identifican estas violencias sexuales como violencia y por último analizar el significado que atribuyen al concepto de relación sexual. Para alcanzar estos objetivos se ha realizado entrevistas semiestructuradas a 21 mujeres residentes en la isla de Tenerife pertenecientes a tres generaciones distintas (7 entrevistas por cada generación), las nacidas entre 1965 y 1981 (Generación X), las nacidas entre 1982 y 1995 (Generación Millennials) y las nacidas a partir de 1996 (Generación Z). El análisis de los testimonios indican que todas las mujeres, independientemente de la generación, consideran que las relaciones sexuales implican placer mutuo, pero a pesar de ello todas han sufrido algún tipo de violencia sexual tanto dentro como fuera de la pareja. Además, salvo la Generación Millennials, las dos generaciones restantes tienen dificultades para identificar estas prácticas como violencia sexual y por tanto percibirse como víctimas de violencia sexual. Entre las razones de esta normalización de la violencia sexual se encuentra la socialización sexista y una cultura de la violación impulsada por la pornificación de la sociedad y los medios de comunicación.
... Previous research had examined specific constructs of the theory, but a comprehensive model was lacking. The researchers conducted structural equation modeling analyses, which revealed that the integrated model provided a strong fit to the data, confirming most of the claims proposed by Fredrickson & Roberts, (1997) in their objectification theory. Specifically, the model demonstrated how psychological factors like selfobjectification and body shame, combined with societal factors like sexual objectification, contribute to the development of disordered eating behaviors. ...
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The current study was intended to evaluate association in objectification of self, dissatisfied concerned body image, and eating behaviors in adults. Individuals who participated in the study were adults. In order to investigate the connection between self-objectification, dissatisfied body image, and eating behaviors in adults, a correlational study approach is utilized. The hypotheses that will be tested in this study are as follows: 1) There would be a notable relationship between self-objectification, dissatisfied body image and eating behaviors among adults; 2) There will be a significant gender difference in terms of self-objectification, body image, and disordered eating behaviors among adults. A total of two hundred persons were included in the sample that was collected for the research project. Out of the total population of 200, 98 individuals are male and 101 individuals are female, with a proportion of 49 and 50.5 respectively. For the purpose of the data collecting procedure, the Body Shape Questionnaire-16B (BSQ-16B), the Self-Objectification Scale, and the Eating Attitude Test 26 (EAT-26) were utilized. The data was then sorted using the SPSS sequence view. The t-test and the Pearson correlational analysis were the methods that were utilized in order to assess the hypotheses. The results of this research indicate that there is a substantial positive association in self-objectification, dissatisfaction with one's body image, and eating practices in adults. In addition, the findings suggest that there is no statistically significant difference in the responses of men and women with relation to levels of self-objectification, dissatisfaction with body image, and eating patterns. Key Words: Keywords: Self objectification scale, dissatisfied body image, eating behaviors, body shape, adults, gender differences
... Previous research had examined specific constructs of the theory, but a comprehensive model was lacking. The researchers conducted structural equation modeling analyses, which revealed that the integrated model provided a strong fit to the data, confirming most of the claims proposed by Fredrickson & Roberts, (1997) in their objectification theory. Specifically, the model demonstrated how psychological factors like selfobjectification and body shame, combined with societal factors like sexual objectification, contribute to the development of disordered eating behaviors. ...
Article
The current study was intended to evaluate association in objectification of self, dissatisfied concerned body image, and eating behaviors in adults. Individuals who participated in the study were adults. In order to investigate the connection between self-objectification, dissatisfied body image, and eating behaviors in adults, a correlational study approach is utilized. The hypotheses that will be tested in this study are as follows: 1) There would be a notable relationship between self-objectification, dissatisfied body image and eating behaviors among adults; 2) There will be a significant gender difference in terms of self-objectification, body image, and disordered eating behaviors among adults. A total of two hundred persons were included in the sample that was collected for the research project. Out of the total population of 200, 98 individuals are male and 101 individuals are female, with a proportion of 49 and 50.5 respectively. For the purpose of the data collecting procedure, the Body Shape Questionnaire-16B (BSQ-16B), the Self-Objectification Scale, and the Eating Attitude Test 26 (EAT-26) were utilized. The data was then sorted using the SPSS sequence view. The t-test and the Pearson correlational analysis were the methods that were utilized in order to assess the hypotheses. The results of this research indicate that there is a substantial positive association in self-objectification, dissatisfaction with one's body image, and eating practices in adults. In addition, the findings suggest that there is no statistically significant difference in the responses of men and women with relation to levels of self-objectification, dissatisfaction with body image, and eating patterns.
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