Contributions of Screen Media to Self-Sexualization among Undergraduate Women and Men

• In Event: From Hook Up to Pregnancy: Sex, Sexuality, and Media

Abstract

Although regular exposure to media content that sexually objectifies women is believed to lead to self-sexualization, research testing this connection has produced mixed results. Most studies have focused only on the objectification component of sexualization, and on limited assessments of media exposure. Our goal was to extend tests of objectification theories both to understudied media genres and to men, and to do so using broader measures of self-sexualization. Surveying 1,191 undergraduates, we tested contributions of exposure to popular reality programs, romantic-themed movies, and music videos, and contributions of perceived TV realism to measures assessing objectified body consciousness and participants’ valuing of sexiness. Frequent consumption of reality TV programs consistently predicted self-sexualization for both sexes, and music video exposure predicted self-sexualization only for men. Perceived realism contributed to self-sexualization in direct ways for both sexes. Findings confirm pathways proposed by objectification and cultivation theories, and indicate unique contributions of understudied media.

Authors

• Lucretia Monique Ward, University of Michigan Psychology Dept.

• Rita Seabrook, U of Michigan

• Adriana Manago, Western Washington U

• Lauren A Reed, U of Michigan