The Consequences of Self-Objectification: Investigating the Impact of Cognitive-Emotional Outcomes on Female Sexual Functioning

The frequent and pervasive sexual objectification of women in Western society often leads to negative psychological outcomes for women. Previous research suggests that women self-objectify, or see themselves as objects worth criticizing, which impacts their emotional and physical lives. Some studies have linked self-objectification to less frequent orgasms, self-consciousness during sex, and even negative attitudes about one's genitals. This study will anonymously survey approximately 500 mostly white adult females on measures of self-objectification, frequency of orgasm, body image self-consciousness, and genital self-image. I hypothesize that higher self-objectification scores will be positively correlated with genital self-consciousness, as well as low genital self-image and fewer orgasms during partnered sex. Further research might explore the impact of diversity on findings, as results may vary among races, ages, and sexual orientations.