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Project

Understanding the influence of sexual objectification in media: A triangulation study of the role of peers in the relationship between media use and self-objectification in adolescents.

Mass media that are popular in adolescents abound with messages that portray individuals as (sexual) bodies while disregarding their personalities. Objectification theory argues that exposure to such so-called sexually objectifying media encourages adolescents to develop an objectified self-concept which is considered to be a central factor in health risks. My PhD introduced the “three-step process of self-objectification” that explains how media tend to induce an objectified self-concept. However, to further increase this model’s explanatory value the role of PEERS needs to be addressed. The current project therefore aims to study the role of the sexual objectification of peers and perceived peer norms of sexual objectification in the media/self-objectification model. More precisely, a longitudinal 4-wave survey and a daily experience study in adolescents will test whether:
(1) Preferences for and exposure to sexually objectifying media are explained by perceived peer norms of sexual objectification;
(2) Relationships between media use and self-objectification vary as a function of peer norms of sexual objectification;
(3) The sexual objectification of peers mediates the relationship between media use and selfobjectification;
(4) It is valuable to apply a reinforcing spiral framework to the media/peer - self-objectification model;
(5) Adding peer-related concepts to the media/self-objectification model increases the power of this model to explain health risks.

Date:1 Oct 2015 →  30 Sep 2018
Keywords:sexual objectification, media, peers, media use, self-objectification, adolescents
Disciplines:Social psychology