Assessing the Integration of Objectification Theory in Treatment Models for Eating Disordered Patients
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Authors
Sayen, Laura
Issue Date
2007
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
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Abstract
Objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) suggests that women are sexually
objectified in Western culture and external pressures to adhere to certain beauty standards are
internalized by women, causing many damaging consequences. Women's bodies are portrayed
as objects and evaluated based on socially prescribed norms as to what is considered attractive.
Resulting from sexual objectification is self-objectification, where women constantly monitor
their appearance, body shape, and size. The consequences of objectification have been
recognized in past research, and strong links to disordered eating behaviors and attitudes have
been identified. Objectification theory and its constructs are identified and reviewed.
Objectification theory's relation to eating disorders has been found in studies that place women
in objectifying situations and observe their eating habits. Moreover, women who experience
symptoms related to eating disorders, such as body shame and body surveillance, frequently
show higher levels of self-objectification than women who do not display such symptoms. The
sociocultural causes of disordered eating symptoms and objectification are evaluated with
specific focus placed on the media. Media images that portray the thin ideal while objectifying
women's bodies have been shown to have negative impact on women's views of their own
bodies. Because media images reach mass amounts of people worldwide, its impact is vast and
cannot be ignored in the perpetuation of objectification. The current study proposes that an
analysis of objectification theory's current use in treatment methods for eating disordered
patients at treatment facilities in the United States be conducted. Recommended methods for
assessing the level of objectification theory's use are described.
Description
v, 41 p.
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