Date of Award

11-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Alexa Dare

Second Advisor

Dr. Kristina Morehouse

Third Advisor

Dr. John Caputo

Abstract

Nearly 50 years after the National Organization for Women's Statement of Purpose vowed to revolutionize the artificial and sexist depiction of women in media and to promote images of women in self-respecting and active partnerships with men, objectification is more of a problem than ever before. This study examines the interplay of Cultivation theory, Social Comparison theory, Objectification theory and Feminist writings in order to study the origins and consequences of objectification for women. Dissemination of a survey instrument consisting of 14 questions and completed by 235 women over a period of five days, assesses the discernment women have about media objectification and the perception of the efficacy of the women's movement in regard to such objectification. The results show that women are overwhelmingly aware of objectification and view it negatively, though it shapes their self-images and how they view others. It also shows that women view the continuation of objectification in the media as a failure of the modern women's movement. This study emphasizes the need for a new approach in order to protect women from the negative effects of media objectification.

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