Contrasting Objectification and Competence

Abstract. Research on priming self-objectification in women frequently implements product-only control groups or nonhuman control images. This study aimed to clarify whether there was a difference in levels of self-objectification among female participants who viewed objectifying images of women, body-competent images of women, or product-only images. A sample of undergraduate females was primed with one of the above image types, after which they completed the Twenty Statements Test (TST) to examine their preoccupation with their own appearance. Results revealed that those who were primed with objectifying images of women exhibited more self-objectification than women who were primed with either body-competent images of women or product-only images. There was also no significant difference between those who only viewed products and those who viewed body-competent images of women. Results are discussed in the context of self-objectification research methods and implications for visual media artists.

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