Internalizing objectification: Objectified individuals see themselves as less warm, competent, moral, and human

People objectify others by viewing them as less warm, competent, moral, and human (Heflick & Goldenberg, 2009; Vaes, Paladino, & Puvia, 2011). In two studies, we examined whether the objectified share this view of themselves, internalizing their objectification. In Study 1 (N = 114) we examined sexual objectification and in Study 2 (N = 62) we examined workplace objectification. Consistent across both studies we found that objectification resulted in participants seeing themselves as less warm, competent, moral (Study 2 only), and lacking in human nature and human uniqueness. These effects were robust to perceiver gender and familiarity (Study 1), and whether another person or a situation caused the objectification (Study 2). In short, the objectified see themselves the manner they are seen by their objectifiers: as lacking warmth, competence, morality, and humanity.