Objectification leads to depersonalization: The denial of mind and moral concern to objectified others

Philosophers have argued that when people are objectified they are treated as if they lack the mental states and moral status associated with personhood. These aspects of objectification have been neglected by psychologists. This research investigates the role of depersonalization in objectification. In Study 1, objectified women were attributed less mind and were accorded lesser moral status than non‐objectified women. In Study 2, we replicated this effect with male and female targets and extended it to include perceptions of competence and pain attribution. Further, we explored whether target and perceiver gender qualify depersonalization. Overall, this research indicates that when people are objectified they are denied personhood. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adolescent Development and the Emergence of Sexuality

Adolescence is a time of significant opportunity and significant challenge. Challenges can be difficult for some adolescents, which may result in problems that are expressed as affective disturbances or by the adolescent's participation in risk-taking behaviors. This review emphasizes the changes in biopsychosocial development during adolescence. We specifically address aspects of individual change during the adolescent decade (e.g., biological, cognitive, psychosocial, and sexual development) as well as the effects of context on normal development and responses to challenges during this period. Predispositions or vulnerabilities present prior to a developmental transition may be exacerbated by the transition. Adolescents can become healthy adults with the encouragement to develop gradually by limiting the simultaneous changes they experience, where possible, and by supporting healthy development through developmentally appropriate activities and supportive relationships with adults and peers.