Examining Objectification and Dehumanization: The Effects of Race and Sexualization

Abstract

Dehumanization and objectification have been linked to a variety of harmful consequences. Because such concepts have primarily been explored in relation to singular categories (e.g., race alone), the present study focused on the intersection between sexualization and race. Participants completed measures of objectification, dehumanization, perceived moral worth, and behavioral intentions regarding a model. In Study 1 (N = 104), we used a 2 sexualization (sexualized, nonsexualized) x 2 race (Black, White) mixed factorial design. We found a significant interaction between race and sexualization on all dependent variables (e.g., objectification, F[1, 99] = 5.04 , p = .03, η2 = .05). Sexualized White women were the most objectified and animalistically dehumanized, nonsexualized White women were the most mechanistically dehumanized, and sexualized Black women were perceived to have the least moral worth. In Study 2, we employed a 2 sexualization (sexualized, nonsexualized) x 2 race (White, Black) between-groups factorial design (N = 114) using the same dependent variables as Study 1. We found a main effect of race on multiple outcomes (e.g., animalistic dehumanization, F[1, 107] = 10.94, p = .001, ηp2 = .09). Participants dehumanized White models to a greater extent than Black models. Sexualized models were more objectified compared to nonsexualized models, F(1, 107) = 4.71, p = .03, ηp2 = .04, and animalistically dehumanized to a greater degree, F(1, 107) = 15.25, p < .001, ηp2 = .13. We discuss the practical implications of these findings for race and gender relationships.