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From women to objects: Appearance focus, target gender, and perceptions of warmth, morality and competence

Heflick, Nathan A, Goldenberg, Jamie L, Cooper, Douglas P, Puvia, Elisa (2011) From women to objects: Appearance focus, target gender, and perceptions of warmth, morality and competence. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 47 (3). pp. 572-581. ISSN 0022-1031. (doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2010.12.020) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:40444)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2010.12.020

Abstract

Most literally, objectification refers to perceiving a person as an object, and consequently, less than fully human. Research on perceptions of humanness and the stereotype content model suggests that humanness is linked to perceptions of warmth, morality and competence. Merging these insights with objectification theory, we hypothesized that focusing on a woman's, but not a man's, appearance should induce objectification, and thus reduce perceptions of these characteristics. In three studies, females, but not males, were perceived as less competent (Studies 2 and 3) and less warm and moral (Studies 1, 2 and 3) when participants were instructed to focus on their appearance. These findings support our position and help rule out stereotype activation as an alternative explanation to dehumanization. Further, they generalized to targets of different races, familiarity, physical attractiveness and occupational status. Implications for gender inequity and the perpetuation of objectification of women are discussed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.jesp.2010.12.020
Additional information: number of additional authors: 3;
Uncontrolled keywords: Objectification; Dehumanization; Human nature; Stereotype content model; Infrahumanization;
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Stewart Brownrigg
Date Deposited: 07 Mar 2014 00:05 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:15 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/40444 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Heflick, Nathan A.

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