• Login
    View Item 
    •   Carroll Scholars Home
    • Psychology
    • Psychology Undergraduate Theses
    • View Item
    •   Carroll Scholars Home
    • Psychology
    • Psychology Undergraduate Theses
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    The Effects of Objectifying Statements on Women’s Self Esteem, Mood, and Body Image

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    SchwickertC_2015_Final.pdf (858.9Kb)
    Author
    Schwickert, Carly
    Date of Issue
    2015-04-01
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    URI
    https://scholars.carroll.edu/handle/20.500.12647/3769
    Title
    The Effects of Objectifying Statements on Women’s Self Esteem, Mood, and Body Image
    Type
    thesis
    Abstract
    Research has shown that women have lowered self-confidence ratings after being harassed by a stranger (e.g. Fairfield & Rudman, 2008) and perform worse on a mathematical task after receiving an objectifying gaze (e.g. Gervais, Vescio, & Allen, 2011). This study investigates the effects of objectifying statements from attractive and unattractive strangers on women’s self esteem, body image and happiness. Individuals assumed they were participating in an Accuracy of First Impressions study and completed an online personal questionnaire, from which they believed peers would create a first impression statement. Participants then met in person with the researcher where they received a statement about their personality, attractiveness or objectifying them, paired with a photo of either an attractive or unattractive male. They then completed a first impression questionnaire and inventories including the Body Image Scale, Current Thoughts Scale, and Subjective Happiness Scale. In reality, individual’s information was not shown to anyone and they were randomly assigned to view statements, which were written by the researcher. Results showed that participants who received objectifying statements had more negative feelings toward the male and a lower body image than those who received statements about their personality or attractiveness. Contrary to predictions, women receiving objectifying statements reported more positive emotions and opposing the hypothesis, self-esteem was not altered by statement type. The attractiveness of the male did not have an effect on happiness, self-esteem or body image. This study brings attention to the positive and negative effects of word choice in everyday encounters.
    Degree Awarded
    Bachelor's
    Semester
    Spring
    Department
    Psychology
    Collections
    • Psychology Undergraduate Theses

    Browse

    All of Carroll ScholarsCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2023  DuraSpace
    DSpace Express is a service operated by 
    Atmire NV