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Objects and Agents? Social Perception of OnlyFans Content Creators
Chiara Pecini1, Alessandra Sacino1, Bianca Tallone1
1University of Genoa.
The Journal of Social Psychology
|July 24, 2026
Summary
Sexually objectified OnlyFans creators were not denied agency, unlike prior research on other women. Participants even attributed more free will to creators, especially when motivated intrinsically.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Sexual objectification often leads to perceptions of reduced humanity and agency in women.
- Previous research indicates objectified women are seen as less capable of planning and self-control.
- The specific case of OnlyFans content creators, who engage in sexualized self-presentation, requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine if female OnlyFans creators are perceived as less than fully human or denied agency.
- To compare perceptions of agency and free will for OnlyFans creators versus other female groups.
- To investigate the influence of creator income and motivation on perceived agency and self-determination.
Main Methods:
- Four experimental studies involving 984 male participants.
- Participants evaluated OnlyFans creators, non-OnlyFans creators, and umbrella girls.
- Measures included perceived agency, free will, self-determination, and motivation (intrinsic vs. extrinsic).
Main Results:
- Male participants objectified OnlyFans creators more than other female targets.
- Creators were not denied agency and were attributed higher free will, irrespective of sexualized appearance.
- Intrinsic motivation positively correlated with perceived self-determination; creator income had a mixed effect.
Conclusions:
- OnlyFans creators, despite objectification, are not perceived as lacking agency or free will.
- Motivation plays a significant role in attributions of self-determination for content creators.
- Findings challenge assumptions about the dehumanization of sexually objectified women in digital content creation contexts.
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