Media and Sexualization: State of Empirical Research, 1995–2015
2016/03/15 by L. Monique Ward · 327 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Computer science #Empirical research #Epistemology #Gender, Feminism, and Media #Human sexuality #Law #Media studies #Media, Gender, and Advertising #Philosophy #Political science #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology #Sexualization #Sociology #State (computer science)
paper · doi:10.1080/00224499.2016.1142496
published in The Journal of Sex Research 53(4-5), 560-577 (Taylor & Francis)
openalex publication_date 2016/03/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Abstract
Sexually objectifying portrayals of women are a frequent occurrence in mainstream media, raising questions about the potential impact of exposure to this content on others' impressions of women and on women's views of themselves. The goal of this review was to synthesize empirical investigations testing effects of media sexualization. The focus was on research published in peer-reviewed, English-language journals between 1995 and 2015. A total of 109 publications that contained 135 studies were reviewed. The findings provided consistent evidence that both laboratory exposure and regular, everyday exposure to this content are directly associated with a range of consequences, including higher levels of body dissatisfaction, greater self-objectification, greater support of sexist beliefs and of adversarial sexual beliefs, and greater tolerance of sexual violence toward women. Moreover, experimental exposure to this content leads both women and men to have a diminished view of women's competence, morality, and humanity. Limitations with the existing research approaches and measures are discussed, and suggestions for future research directions are provided.
Citations
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