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The ACME shop: A paradigm to investigate working (self-) objectification
Cristina Baldissarri1, Alessandro Gabbiadini1, Luca Andrighetto2
1University of Milan-Bicocca.
The Journal of Social Psychology
|November 7, 2020
Summary
The ACME shop paradigm effectively induces self-objectification in experimental settings. This tool helps study how objectifying work activities impact individuals
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Workplace Psychology
Background:
- Self-objectification, a facet of dehumanization, is often linked to objectifying work environments.
- Existing research lacks experimental tools to specifically study self-objectification induced by work activities.
- Understanding the psychological impact of objectifying labor is crucial for workplace well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate the ACME shop paradigm, an open-source tool for experimentally assessing self-objectification.
- To investigate the effects of objectifying versus non-objectifying work activities on self-perceptions.
- To establish the construct validity of the ACME shop paradigm in inducing self-objectification.
Main Methods:
- Development of the ACME shop paradigm, a simulation involving objectifying (repetitive, fragmented, other-directed) and non-objectifying work tasks.
- Two studies were conducted to test the convergent and discriminant validity of the paradigm in laboratory and online settings.
- Participants' self-attributions of mental states, agency, experience, and perceptions of being instrument-like or animal-like were measured.
Main Results:
- Participants in the objectifying work condition reported higher self-objectification, including reduced self-attribution of mental states and increased perception of being instrument-like.
- The ACME shop paradigm successfully induced self-objectification without affecting perceptions of being animal-like, demonstrating discriminant validity.
- The paradigm's convergent validity was supported by its significant impact on self-attributions of agency and experience.
Conclusions:
- The ACME shop paradigm is a valid and usable tool for experimentally studying self-objectification in the context of work activities.
- The findings highlight the specific impact of objectifying labor on self-perception, differentiating it from other forms of dehumanization.
- The paradigm offers a valuable resource for future research on workplace psychology and the effects of objectifying work.
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