1. Emily Stiner1, Beth Visser, PhD.2, Anthony Bogaert, PhD. 3
Look At Me!: An Exploration of Self-Objectification and Enjoyment of Sexualization in Men and Women
Emily Stiner1, Beth Visser, PhD.2, Anthony Bogaert, PhD. 3
1 Trent University, 2 Lakehead University, 3 Brock University
Hierarchical Regression: EAT
Introduction
Enjoyment of Sexualization (ES) refers to one’s desire and appreciation for sexualized attention (Liss, Erchull & Ramsey, 2011). Self-objectification, a related construct, refers to taking on the perspective of others in viewing one’s body as an object for use (McKinley & Hyde, 1996). Research has shown self-objectification to be related to several negative outcomes, including disordered eating and poor self esteem (Mercurio & Landry, 2008; Noll & Fredrickson, 1998). The goal of the present study was to validate a gender- and orientation-inclusive ES scale (ESS-GI) and determine relations to real world behaviours.
Results
Predictor
ΔR2 B
SE B β p
Step One
Constant
Surveillance
.126
2.377
0.219
0.025
0.355
<.001
Step Two
ESS
.000
0.216
0.007
0.026
.351
.011
.790
Step Three
Gender
Attractiveness
.016
2.414
0.190
0.020
-0.123
-0.051
0.030
0.028
0.027
0.056
0.309
0.033
-0.092
-0.082
.459
.027
.054
Items on ESS-GI and their Factor Loadings, Principal Axis Factoring
It is important to me that people are attracted to me.
.645
I feel proud when people (of the gender I’m attracted to) compliment the way I look.
.599
I want people (of the gender I’m attracted to) to look at me.
.722
I love to feel sexy.
.715
I like showing off my body.
.463
I feel complimented when people “check me out” as I walk past.
.608
When I wear revealing clothing, I feel sexually attractive and in control.
.520
I feel empowered when I look good.
.692
Hierarchical Regression: Partners in Past Year
Predictor
ΔR2 B
SE B β p
Step One
Constant
Surveillance
.000
0.795
-0.005
0.025
-0.009
<.001
.835
Step Two
ESS
.038
0.794
-0.042
0.118
0.026
-0.073
0.204
.109
Step Three
Gender
Attractiveness
.027
0.776
-0.012
0.091
0.061
0.093
0.029
0.027
0.055
-0.020
0.157
0.049
0.164
.666
.001
.263
Method
Participants: 519 undergraduates (376 female, 161 male)
Measures:
Disordered Eating Symptoms: Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) (Garner & Garfinkel, 1979) (α = .89)
Enjoyment of Sexualization: ESS-GI (α= .82)
Self Objectification: Surveillance subscale of Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (McKinley & Hyde, 1996) (α = .82)
Self-reported attractiveness
Number of one night stands
Number of sexual partners in past year
Hierarchical Regression: One Night Stands
Predictor
ΔR2 B
SE B β p
Step One
Constant
Surveillance
.003
0.594
-0.037
0.033
-0.051
<.001
.253
Step Two
ESS
.023
0.591
-0.074
0.122
0.032
0.034
0.035
-0.100
0.162
0.029
Step Three
Gender
Attractiveness
.030
0.549
-0.032
0.091
0.139
0.113
0.038
0.072
-0.043
0.121
0.086
0.153
.366
.011
.053
.001
References
Garner, D.M. & Garfinkel, P.E. (1979). The Eating Attitudes Test: An index of the symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Psychological Medicine, 9(2),
Liss, M., Erchull, M.J., & Ramsey, L. R. (2011). Empowering or oppressing? Development and exploration of the Enjoyment of Sexualization Scale. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 37, 55 – 68.
McKinley, N.M. & Hyde, J.S. (1996). The objectified body consciousness scale. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 20, 181 – 215.
Mercurio, A.E. & Landry, L. J. (2008). Self-objectification and well-being: The impact of self-objectification on women’s overall sense of worth and life satisfaction. Sex Roles, 58, 458 – 466.
Noll, S.M. & Fredrickson, B. (1998). A mediational model linking self-objectification, body shame, and disordered eating. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 22, 623 – 636.
Conclusions
Enjoyment of Sexualization and self-objectification are overlapping but distinct constructs. Men and women show similar levels of ES whereas women report higher levels of self-objectification. ES appears to be related to less damaging outcomes than self-objectification