Subjectivity uncertainty theory of objectification: Compensating for uncertainty about how to positively relate to others by downplaying their subjective attributes

• Published in: Journal of experimental social psychology Vol. 48; no. 6; pp. 1234 - 1246
• Main Authors: Landau, Mark J., Sullivan, Daniel, Keefer, Lucas A., Rothschild, Zachary K., Osman, Mark R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego Elsevier Inc 01.11.2012; Academic Press
• Subjects: Attitude; Attitudes; Employees; Interpersonal relation; Motivation/goal setting; Organizational behaviour; Relationship cognition; Self esteem; Self-worth; Social interaction; Social psychology; Social relations; Social roles; Studies; Subjectivity; Theory; Threat; Uncertainty; Work place; Self-worth; Attitude; Interpersonal relation; Motivation/goal setting; Relationship cognition
• ISSN: 0022-1031; 1096-0465
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2012.05.003

Why do people sometimes view others as objects rather than complete persons? We propose that when people desire successful interactions with others, yet feel uncertain about their ability to navigate others' subjectivity, they downplay others' subjective attributes, focusing instead on their concrete attributes. This account suggests that objectification represents a response to uncertainty about one's ability to successfully interact with others distinct from: instrumentalizing others in response to power; dehumanizing others in response to threat; and simplifying others in response to general uncertainty. Supporting this account: When uncertainty about navigating women's subjectivity was salient, men showed increased sexual objectification to the extent that they desired successful interactions with women (Study 1) and were primed to view such interactions as self-esteem relevant (Study 2). In a workplace scenario, participants made uncertain about their managerial ability felt less confident about their ability to navigate employees' subjectivity and, consequently, role-objectified employees (Study 3). ► Three studies test a novel account of what motivates people to objectify targets. ► Uncertain how to successfully interact, perceivers downplay targets' subjectivity. ► Men primed with uncertainty about interacting with women sexually objectified women. ► Men and women made uncertain about workplace interactions role-objectified employees. ► Evidence was found for theoretically specified moderating and mediating variables.