Norma De Piccoli

Protective versus risk factors for self-objectification in different age and gender cohorts

The harmful effects of objectification and self-objectification have been widely investigated, but few studies have examined factors that may predict self-objectification. This research intends to assess the protective versus risk role of sociodemographic and physical characteristics (age, BMI), psychosocial variables (self-esteem; self-oriented perfectionism and socially prescribed perfectionism), and social factors (influence of family and friends; internalization of media standards) on self-objectification in men and women. The selfobjectification was assessed with two subscales of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale: Body Shame and Body Surveillance. Participants were 812 Italian adults of different age cohorts (age range 21-60 years; 50.7% females) recruited via a quota sampling method. Two regression models separately for males and females were performed. Results showed that mass media influence was the strongest predictor for body surveillance and body shame in both men and women, whereas gender-related patterns emerged for physical, psychological, and relational variables with age as moderator.

Self-Objectification and Personal Values. An Exploratory Study

Self-objectification occurs when individuals treat themselves as objects to be viewed and evaluated based upon appearance. Literature has largely elucidated links between self-objectification and damaging outcomes in both men and women. The purpose of the present study was to extend past research on the antecedents of self-objectification. We were interested in the role played by specific ideological components, i.e., higher order personal values (self-enhancement, conservation, self-transcendence, and openness to change), in influencing the degree to which individuals internalize the objectifying perspective of the Western cultural milieu, i.e., self-objectify. Undergraduate participants (N = 371, 76.8% women) completed measures of self-objectification (i.e., body surveillance and body shame), and endorsement of higher order values. Regression analyses demonstrated that self-enhancement is linked to higher self-objectification in both men and women, whereas conservation is related only to women’s body surveillance. Self-transcendence seemed to act as a buffer against men’s body surveillance, whereas openness to change resulted as a buffer against women’s body surveillance. Implications are discusses.

Modelli mediatici e oggettivazione maschile e femminile

Literature on objectification has largely demonstrated the relationship between exposure to objectified media models and body dissatisfaction for women. The aim of the research presented here is to extend the study of the consequences of such exposure - examining both male and female models - in relation to psychological well-being, self-esteem and endorsement of sexist attitudes. 166 university students (51.8% male) participated in the study. Results showed that exposure to objectified male models decreases men’s well-being, while exposure to objectified female models not only decreases women’s well-being but also their perception of attractiveness and social esteem. Furthermore, female objectification influences men’s sexism, increasing hostility towards women and at the same time reducing the hostility toward their own gender. The implications are discussed.

Differenze e diseguaglianze di genere tra Nord e Sud d’Italia. Attualità di uno stereotipo

Le autrici considerano che gli studi di genere si inseriscono in una prospettiva epistemologica volta a studiare l’articolazione tra processi psicologici e processi sociali. Anche gli stereotipi di genere esprimono contenuti che hanno una origine sociale. L’articolo intende rispondere a due questioni: a) i valori di sessismo, ostile e benevolente, sono diversi per uomini e donne?; b) gli stereotipi sono in relazione con politiche di gender equality? Vengono presentati alcuni dati di una ricerca condotta in due regioni italiane (Piemonte e Sicilia) su un campione di studenti universitari confermando come sia il sessismo ostile sia quello benevolente si differenzino per genere e per contesto socio-culturale.

Obsolescenza o attualità del senso di comunità? Una riflessione

Obsolescenze oractually of sense of community? A reflection - Debate on Sense of Community increased recently. Present work is an exploration of the articles published in the last years (2000-2006) by scientific journals included in PsycINFO database. The study aims to explore the use of the Sense of Community concept in scientific literature. On the ground of the results, some critical points about the concept are discussed. Keywords: Sense of Community, Community, Scientific Research