The Effects of Sexual Objectification on Self-Perception and Risky Behaviors

Undergraduate college students across the country are heavily exposed to sexual objectification through media images on a regular basis. Experience with objectification can influence the way one perceives oneself. The purpose of this research is to explore the impact sexual objectification has on self-perception and participant willingness to engage in risky behaviors. I will distribute online surveys via Qualtrics using three separate scales to measure the three variables: sexual objectification, self-perception and risky sexual behaviors. The participants will be self-selected psychology students. I hypothesize that students who report increased exposure to sexual objectification have a negative self-perception and are more willing to engage in risky sexual behaviors. This study provides needed insight into how college students perceive themselves and an understanding of their willingness to indulge in risky sexual behaviors.