The costs of sexualization: Examining viewers’ perceptions of sexualized profile owners in online dating.

Abstract

Previous research has documented the social costs of sexualized Facebook profiles (Daniels, 2016(Daniels, , 2020Daniels & Zurbriggen, 2016), yet little is known whether such effects exist in a critically important venue for relationship formation: online dating. Using the stereotype content model, this online experiment examined whether sexualized dating profiles, versus nonsexualized dating profiles, incur social costs (e.g., being rated low on competence, warmth, humanity, liking, social attractiveness, romantic attractiveness, and likelihood of experiencing sexual cyber dating abuse). A total of 262 heterosexual undergraduates (166 women and 96 men) participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to evaluate 2 sexualized or nonsexualized online dating candidates of the opposite sex. Results indicated that sexualized profile owners were evaluated lower on competence, liking, social attractiveness, were perceived to be at a heightened likelihood of experiencing sexual cyber dating abuse, and were considered less likely to seek long-term relationships than their nonsexualized counterparts. Some interaction effects between target gender and sexualization were also observed and discussed. Public Policy Relevance StatementAccording to the stereotype content model, people make sense of individuals/groups based on 2 central dimensions-warmth and competence. In line with this idea, this experiment found social costs (e.g., less perceived competence, less liking, a heightened likelihood of experiencing sexual cyber dating abuse) of using sexualized profile photos for online daters. Being aware of such costs may help daters make sensible decisions about their online self-presentations.

The effect of dress nudity on the interpersonal attraction of female college students

“…Whereas in appearance attraction it was found that dressed high nude females received higher appearance ratings, which is inconsistent with previous studies. This is because the context of this study was set as an everyday interpersonal scenario on campus, whereas the use of nude dress code was more sexually suggestive in previous studies, such as low-cut dresses, garters [34], lingerie, and thongs [35], and the context of the study was set as a dating mate selection scenario. The level of dress nudity in this study remains an everyday aesthetic level that positively affects appearance attraction, whereas in previous studies dress nudity releases more sexual innuendo, which in turn negatively affects appearance attraction.…”

Perceived Attractiveness of Sexualized Versus Non-sexualized Females on Online Dating Apps

“…However, evidence has shown that sexualized presentations on social media might lead to negative impacts on others' evaluations [2]. As online dating apps have become one of the most used social media types and have become increasingly popular since the COVID-19 outbreak, this study aims to explore the perceived social, physical, and task attractiveness of sexualized versus non-sexualized females on online dating apps [3].…”

“…The Ambivalent Sexism Theory might be used to predict the results of social and physical attractiveness. Women who fit traditional gender stereotypes that appear weak, fragile, nurturing, and pure such as mothers and homemakers, are seen as good women and be treated with benevolent sexism [3,4]. In contrast, women who seem to challenge traditional gender roles and males' power, such as career women and lesbians, are classified as bad women and be treated with hostile sexism [3,4].…”

“…Women who fit traditional gender stereotypes that appear weak, fragile, nurturing, and pure such as mothers and homemakers, are seen as good women and be treated with benevolent sexism [3,4]. In contrast, women who seem to challenge traditional gender roles and males' power, such as career women and lesbians, are classified as bad women and be treated with hostile sexism [3,4]. Therefore, sexualized women with revealing clothing go against the stereotype that women should dress modestly and purely and may be seen as using their bodies to seduce men for their power.…”

“…The Stereotype Content Model suggests that people utilize warmth and competence as critical dimensions to comprehend individuals or groups [3]. However, when a woman is presented in sexualized ways, her body is seen as an object merely for sexual use and pleasure, which diminishes her traits of a human being, and therefore might lower her perceived competence (task attractiveness) [2,3].…”