Impaired emotional mimicry toward objectified women
Daniela Ruzzante (University of Trento)
Sexual objectification implies the denial of humanity and human characteristics mainly to women. While research has mainly focused on sexual harassment and aggression as the main behavioral consequences of sexual objectification, only few studies have tried to focus on more subtle consequences towards sexually objectified targets. Spontaneous mimicry is a basic empathic process that through the imitation of other people’s postures, gestures and emotions allows one to understand other’s emotions and intentions. Therefore, impairments in mimicry behavior might result in less smooth interactions and less liking of the interaction partner leading to avoidance of such interactions in the future. In two studies, using electromyography (EMG) we measured participants’ mimicry behavior towards objectified and non-objectified women who expressed happiness and anger. Results indicated that both male and female participants showed less mimicry behavior only when sexually objectified women were presented regardless of the expressed emotion. Given the fundamental role of mimicry in creating successful everyday interpersonal interactions, the results of this research advance our understanding of the more subtle, but daily consequences of sexual objectification.
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