Can exposure to sexual objectification impact policy attitudes? Evidence from two survey experiments

Claire M. Gothreau*, Julian Schuessler, Amanda Milena Alvarez

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Research in social psychology has long argued that exposure to objectifying portrayals of women can lead to increasingly misogynist attitudes and behavior. We argue that such images can also impact on gendered policy attitudes. We suggest that objectifying images prime sexist attitudes and reduce perceptions of women’s agency, warmth, and competence. We argue that this may translate into decreased support for reproductive rights and other gender-salient policies. Furthermore, these effects may vary by the gender of those exposed to these images. In two survey experiments with brief exposures to objectifying images, we find mixed support for these predictions. Although we find some negative effects as predicted, we also find positive effects of objectification among women in the sample that are suggestive of a backlash effect. We discuss potential explanations for this heterogeneity. Overall, our results suggest interesting avenues to further explore the effects of objectification on political outcomes.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPolitics and the Life Sciences
Volume43
Issue2
Pages (from-to)216-225
Number of pages10
ISSN0730-9384
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • dehumanization
  • gender and politics
  • objectification
  • public opinion
  • reproductive rights

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Can exposure to sexual objectification impact policy attitudes? Evidence from two survey experiments'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this