The Objectification Theory: What It Is And What It Explains About Self-esteem
In recent times, more and more emphasis has been placed on avoiding objectifying women’s bodies and this phenomenon is visualized.
However, not everyone is clear about what causes this behavior, what is the origin of this theory and why it is important in terms of the repercussions that such behavior can have. With this article we will try to shed light on all these issues related to this phenomenon. For it, We will see what the theory of objectification consists of
The theory of objectification refers to a perception learned by women to a greater extent than men, in certain societies and times, intended to internalize that, generally, observers will focus their attention on their physique before in 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 cause discomfort in these people, who would be feeling constant pressure over time to always show a socially acceptable image.
The theory of objectification tells us that This continued self-observation, with the consequent discomfort, can have repercussions such as symptoms compatible with anxiety, feelings of shame when knowing that one is exposed, observed and evaluated by others, and a decrease in self-esteem
Some authors suggest that these differences between the perception of themselves between women and men, according to the criteria of the objectification theory, could explain some of the differences between the prevalence of some psychopathologies, such as behavioral disorders. eating, depression or sexual disorders.
One of the causes that could be generating this connection could be locating all or most of self-perception in the external bodily state, and little or nothing about the internal bodily state which would establish a type of dissociation in that sphere of one’s own health, potentially causing a lack of awareness about some problems that could potentially arise.
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 US psychologists and sociologists, such as William James or Charles Cooley, investigated the concept of the mirror self
What this theory states, in summary, is that what others see in ourselves has a direct effect on our own self-perception. This mechanism would occur through three ways. Firstly, through the subject’s perception of the way other people see him.
Then, according to the way in which this person considers that others are judging him, based on what they have perceived. And finally, by the emotional reaction that the direction of said hypothetical judgment provokes in the individual, which can be in a positive sense (feeling joy, happiness or pride) or negative (feeling guilty, ashamed or sad).
In that sense, A greater proportion of women was observed compared to men, whose self-esteem showed a dependence on the judgments perceived by their physical appearance, in terms of their attractiveness On the contrary, men seemed to be more concerned about their physical effectiveness. This is one of the roots of the theory of objectification.
But it’s 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 collected and approved by the society.
Sandra Bartky, philosopher and feminist researcher, also spoke in her studies about what the theory of objectification 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 totality of that person, her identity and her value
These contributions have not been the only ones, but they have been some of the most important that have gradually shaped what we currently know as the theory of objectification.
Once we have explored the statements and the historical journey behind the theory of objectification, it is now necessary to delve deeper into the consequences that these behaviors can entail. We have already commented 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 these consequences of self-objectification is the fragmentation of consciousness and therefore the limitation of mental resources to perform other tasks In one study, participants were asked to put on either a sweater or a swimsuit in a room where there was only them and therefore they were not observed by anyone.
Next, they had to do some mathematical calculation exercises. It was observed that there were no differences between men who wore one garment or another, but there were differences among women. Those with the swimsuit performed significantly worse on the test Because? According to objectification theory, the answer would be because his consciousness was anchored in the judgment of his physical appearance.
But it is not the only effect that this phenomenon can cause. Other more general ones tell us, 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 beauty canons that prevail at the time.
The trigger may not even be the perception of the person themselves, but of others who do seem to fit into said canons. Therefore, That person (usually women, as we have already seen) who perceives themselves in a different way from what the social norms of a given time and society dictate, will be more likely to feel that shame
Shame may also be followed by a series of anxiety symptoms, due to the discomfort that the situation causes. In this way, we observe that the theory of objectification points out not only physical consequences for 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 consequences related to an eating disorder, the repercussions of which can be really serious if this person does not have the resources and help. to face the situation and be able to overcome said psychopathology.
Differences between men and women
Many sectors and studies insist on the significant differences observed between women and men regarding the theory of objectification. This could reinforce the idea of ​​the great psychological differences that there may be between both genders. However, authors such as Professor Janet Shibley Hyde argue that these differences do not exist or at least are much smaller than what has been traditionally considered.
For this psychologist, specialist in gender studies, In reality, men and women are much more similar than some establishments claim It is true that precisely in the matter of the theory of objectification, as well as some other very specific phenomena, differences are observed, either in one sense or in the other.
But the reality is that, in general terms, there are overwhelmingly more similarities found between women and men than discordant elements that can be used to point out differences. Thus It is interesting to dedicate efforts to investigate issues such as the theory of objectification and thus obtain empirical data about the origin of these few differences
Of course, the fact that this phenomenon has negative repercussions on many people (who are mostly women, as studies seem to indicate), should also be an impetus to try to find a methodology that can alleviate these effects.
