Work

The woman in the (rearview) mirror: Viewers’ attitudes toward objectified car selfies of Black and White women.

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: Using an experimental methodology, the present study investigated the effect of objectified versus nonobjectified social media photos of Black and White young women on young Black and White people’s attitudes. An aim of the study was to examine whether Black women are penalized for an objectified self-presentation on social media in similar ways as White women. Another aim of the study was to investigate whether the race of the viewer affects attitudes toward targets. Young adults in the United States (n = 402) viewed mock Facebook profiles belonging to Black and White women with either an objectified or a nonobjectified profile photo. They then rated the women’s morality, warmth, competence, and sexual attractiveness. They also reported how much they liked the profiles. Findings indicate that a Black woman was not penalized significantly more than a White woman for an objectified selfpresentation on social media. The race of the viewer did not affect perceptions. These results contribute to the small body of research documenting the impact of objectification on Black women.

Source: Psychology of Popular Media

DOI: 10.1037/ppm0000363

Authors: Elizabeth A. Daniels, Morgan C. Jerald, L. Monique Ward

Language: English

Topic: Social and Intergroup Psychology

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Gender equality

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of Michigan, University of Colorado Colorado Springs

OpenAlex ID: W4200230964