The role of self-objectification and women's blame, sympathy, and support for a rape victim

PLoS One. 2018 Jun 28;13(6):e0199808. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199808. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Sexual aggression is prevalent and damaging in our culture, and sources of support or blame following an attack of this kind can be important influences on the recovery process. This pair of studies investigate the nature of women's blame reactions towards survivors of sexual aggression, as well as the potential for provision of sympathy and support. Specifically, we focused on the previously neglected role of female self-objectification. It was expected that increased self-objectification would lead to decreased sympathy and support, and more rape victim blame. However, results of Study 1 showed that chronic self-objectification was actually related to higher levels of sympathy and support for a rape victim. Study two built upon the limitations of study one, and examined similar questions. It was expected that women who engaged in greater self-objectification would again show greater sympathy and support for the victim, replicating study one's results, and this was supported with a different scale. The overall relationship between self-objectification and sympathy and support was driven by body-relevant control beliefs. Implications and future directions are discussed.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Rape / psychology*
  • Self Concept*

Grants and funding

Some funding was provided by the Leverhulme prize held by the third author. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.