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That swimsuit becomes you: sex differences in self-objectification, restrained eating, and math performance
B L Fredrickson1, T A Roberts, S M Noll
1Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-1109, USA. blf@umich.edu
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|August 1, 1998
Summary
Self-objectification, common in American culture, leads women to experience body shame, which can cause restrained eating and reduced mental performance. These effects were observed in women but not men in experimental studies.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Objectification theory suggests cultural pressures lead women to internalize an observer's view of their bodies.
- This self-objectification is linked to negative psychological and cognitive outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of self-objectification on body shame, restrained eating, and mental performance.
- To examine gender differences in response to self-objectification.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted, manipulating self-objectification by having participants wear either a swimsuit or a sweater.
- Participants included women and men, with data collected on body shame, eating behaviors, and cognitive task performance.
Main Results:
- Self-objectification significantly increased body shame and restrained eating in women.
- Cognitive performance, specifically in math tasks, was diminished in women experiencing self-objectification.
- These effects were not observed in men, indicating gender-specific impacts.
Conclusions:
- Self-objectification, driven by cultural factors, has detrimental effects on women's psychological well-being and cognitive function.
- The findings highlight the need to address the societal objectification of women and its consequences.