The Objectification Theory: what is it and what does it explain about self-esteem?

The Objectification Theory talks about the perception of the physique as a person's identity.

In recent times, more and more emphasis is being placed on avoiding objectifying women's bodies and this phenomenon is visualized.

However, not everyone is clear about what this behavior is due to, what the origin of this theory is and why it is important in view of the repercussions that such behavior can have. With this article we will try to shed light on all these questions related to this phenomenon. In order to do so, we will see what the objectification theory consists of..

What does the objectification theory consist of?

The objectification theory refers to a perception learned by women to a greater extent than men, in certain societies and at certain times, aimed at internalizing that, generally, observers will focus their attention on their physique than on any other facet.

This phenomenon leads to the so-called self-objectification in women, which consists of paying constant attention to their own appearance, knowing this effect. This behavior can lead to discomfort in these individuals, who would be feeling a pressure maintained over time to always show a socially acceptable image.

The theory of objectification tells us that this continuous self-observation, with the consequent discomfort, can have repercussions such as symptoms compatible with anxiety, feelings of shame at being exposed, observed and evaluated by others, and a decrease in self-esteem..

Some authors suggest that these differences in self-perception between women and men, according to the criteria of the objectification theory, could explain some of the differences in the prevalence of some psychopathologies, such as eating disorders, depression or sexual disorders.

One of the causes that could be generating such a connection could be placing all or most of the self-perception on the external body state, and little or nothing on the internal body state, which would establish a type of self-perception based on the external body state.This would establish a type of dissociation on that sphere of one's own health, which could lead to a lack of awareness of some problems that could potentially arise.

History of the objectification theory

The first studies related to what we know today as the theory of objectification were carried out in the first half of the last century, when psychologists and sociologists from the USA, such as William James or Charles Cooley, investigated the concept of the mirror self, researched on the concept of the mirror self..

What this theory states, in short, is that what others see in ourselves has a direct effect on our own self-perception. This mechanism would occur through three ways. First, through the subject's perception of how other people see him or her.

Then, according to the way in which this person considers that others are judging him/her, based on what they have perceived. And finally, by the emotional reaction that the direction of this hypothetical judgment provokes in the individual, which can be positive (feeling joy, happiness or pride) or negative (feeling guilty, ashamed or sad).

In this sense, a higher proportion of women than men was observed, whose self-esteem showed a dependence on the perceived judgments of their physical appearance, in terms of their attractiveness.. In contrast, men seemed to be more concerned about their physical efficacy. This is one of the roots of objectification theory.

But it is not the only one. The psychoanalyst Karen Horney, an exponent of feminism at a time when it was not so widespread (first half of the 20th century), already stated that the sexualization of women by men was a kind of right or custom accepted and approved by society.

Sandra Bartky, philosopher and feminist researcher, also spoke in her studies about what objectification theory entailed. For her objectifying or objectifying a woman referred to taking her body or some part of it as an independent entity and instrumentalizing it, and even using it as a representation of the whole person, her identity and her value..

These contributions were not the only ones, but they were some of the most important ones that have gradually shaped what we now know as the theory of objectification.

The consequences of objectification

Once we have explored the claims and the historical path behind objectification theory, it is now necessary to delve more deeply into the consequences that these behaviors can entail. We have already mentioned that self-objectification occurs with greater intensity in women than in men, so it will be women who suffer some of these effects.

One of the consequences of self-objectification is the fragmentation of consciousness and therefore the limitation of mental resources to carry out other activities. limitation of mental resources to perform other tasks.. In one study, participants were asked to put on either a sweater or a bathing suit in a room where they were alone and therefore not observed by anyone else.

They were then asked to perform mathematical calculation exercises. It was observed that there was no difference between the men who wore one or the other, but there was a difference in the women. The women in the bathing suit performed significantly worse on the test.Why? According to the objectification theory, the answer would be because their consciousness was anchored in the judgment of their physical appearance.

But this is not the only effect that this phenomenon can provoke. Other more general ones speak, as we mentioned at the beginning, of a feeling of shame about one's own image, more intense in those people who fall into self-objectification than in those who do not. It should be noted that this self-perception is also accompanied by a comparison with the canons of beauty prevailing at the time.

The trigger may not even be the person's own perception, but that of others who do seem to fit these canons. Therefore, that person (usually women, as we have already seen) who perceives herself differently from what the social norms of a given time and society dictate, will be more likely to feel this shame..

Embarrassment may also be followed by a series of anxiety symptoms, due to the discomfort that the situation causes. Thus, we observe that the objectification theory points out not only physical consequences in the person, but also physical ones.

We also anticipated at the beginning of this article that this negative self-perception can lead not only to anxiety, but also to sequelae related to an eating disorder, whose repercussions can be really serious if the person does not have the resources and help to cope with the situation and overcome this psychopathology.

Differences between men and women

Many sectors and studies insist on the significant differences observed between women and men in terms of objectification theory. This could reinforce the idea of the great differences at the psychological level that may exist between the two genders. However, authors such as Professor Janet Shibley Hyde argue that these differences do not exist or at least are much smaller than traditionally considered.

For this psychologist, a specialist in gender studies, in reality, men and women are much more similar than what some sectors claim.. It is true that precisely in the matter of objectification theory, as well as in some other very specific phenomena, differences are observed, either in one sense or in the other.

But the reality is that, generally speaking, there are overwhelmingly more similarities to be found between women and men than discordant elements that can be used to point out differences. For this reason, it is it is interesting to devote efforts to investigate issues such as the theory of objectification and thus to obtain empirical data about the origin of these scarce differences..

Por supuesto, el hecho de que este fenómeno tenga repercusiones negativas sobre muchas personas (que en su mayoría son mujeres, como parecen indicar los estudios), también debería ser un impulso para tratar de encontrar una metodología que permita aliviar dichos efectos.

Referencias bibliográficas:

• Balraj, B. (2015). Understanding objectification theory. International Journal on Studies in English Language and Literature.
• Calogero, R.M. (2012). Objectification theory, self-objectification, and body image. Encyclopedia of Body Image and Human Appearance.
• Fredrickson, B.L., Roberts, T.A., Noll, S.M., Quinn, D.M., Twenge, J.M. (1998). That swimsuit becomes you: Sex differences in self-objectification, restrained eating, and math performance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
• Moradi, B., Huang, Y.P. (2008). Objectification theory and psychology of women: A decade of advances and future directions. Psychology of women quarterly.
• O'Brien, Jodi (2010). The production of reality: Essays and readings on Social Interaction. SAGE Publications.
• Slater, A., Tiggemann, M. (2002). A test of objectification theory in adolescent girls. Sex Roles. Springer.