Abstract
In this study we employed an experimental in between design to investigate the effects of media
exposure on participant levels of self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, trait and state self objectification.
To collect this data we randomly allocated 35 females and 37 males into either the control or
experimental condition levels. To measure effects of both variables pre & post manipulation of selfesteem
and body dissatisfaction tests were administered before and after the advertisements. These
students consisted both of full-time and part-time students ranging in ages from 18 to 40 years of age.
In the control condition participants were shown neutral advertisements and in the experimental
condition participants were shown advertisements containing the sexual objectification of both men.
The results showed that by watching only 12 mins of advertisements containing sexual objectification
in one single sitting levels of state self objectification increased significantly in comparison to watching
neutral advertisements in both men and women. Along with increased states of self objectification
were lower levels of self-esteem both men and women. In women only results showed significantly higher levels of body dissatisfaction when both compared against gender and the control condition. Author keywords: Body dysmorphic disorder
