Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
07:40
Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
4.3K
The nullifying experience of self-objectification: The development and psychometric evaluation of the
1The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Child Abuse & Neglect
|October 1, 2016
Summary
The new Self-Objectification Scale (SOS) effectively measures dehumanization, showing high reliability. Higher SOS scores correlate with shame, body-objectification, and experiences of childhood maltreatment and assault.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Self-objectification involves losing subjectivity, often assessed via appearance.
- Existing measures do not fully capture self-objectification as dehumanization.
- A new scale is needed to assess self-objectification reflecting dehumanization.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate the psychometric properties of the new Self-Objectification Scale (SOS).
- Assess the reliability and validity of the SOS in measuring dehumanization.
- Examine the relationship between self-objectification, shame, body consciousness, and trauma.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: Administered SOS to 373 students to identify subscales.
- Study 2: Administered SOS to 300 female students alongside measures of shame, body consciousness, childhood maltreatment (CTQ), and assault history.
- Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to confirm the factor structure.
Main Results:
- Two reliable SOS subscales emerged: Invisibility and Lack of Autonomy.
- CFA confirmed the SOS factor structure.
- SOS scores significantly correlated with shame and body-objectification measures.
- Individuals with histories of childhood maltreatment or assault reported higher SOS scores.
Conclusions:
- The Self-Objectification Scale (SOS) demonstrates good psychometric properties.
- The SOS is a reliable tool for assessing self-objectification as dehumanization.
- The scale is valuable for future research on trauma and self-perception.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Self-Report Tests of Personality
1.1K
Self-report inventories are objective personality assessments that use multiple-choice items or numbered scales, typically ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). They are often called Likert scales after Rensis Likert. These inventories are widely used due to their ease of administration and cost-effectiveness. One of the most prominent examples is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), initially developed in the 1940s to assess abnormal personality traits.
1.1K
01:30Social Foundations of Self III: Self-Evaluation
225
Self-evaluation is the process by which individuals assess their abilities, behaviors, and characteristics based on feedback from others. Charles H. Cooley observed that a person’s self-perception is primarily influenced by how others see and judge them. He suggested that individuals form their identities based on their interpretations of others' reactions. As a result, social interactions play a crucial role in shaping self-esteem and personal identity. These external evaluations often...
225
01:19Self-Concept
1.9K
Self-concept is the cognitive and emotional understanding individuals hold about their identity. It evolves through various developmental stages, beginning in infancy and maturing as children grow. This concept influences how individuals perceive their abilities, interact with others, and manage challenges throughout life.
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...
1.9K
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
232
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...
232
02:57The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
56.4K
According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
56.4K
01:28The Looking Glass Self
509
The concept of the looking-glass self describes how an individual's self-concept is shaped by their perception of how others see them. This psychological theory, first introduced by sociologist Charles Horton Cooley in 1902, posits that self-identity emerges in a social context and is influenced by the judgments—real or imagined—of others.Research suggests that individuals frequently overestimate how positively others perceive them. This is particularly evident in physical...
509