Heart Rate and Affective Reactions to State Self-Objectification as a Function of Gender

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine heart rate (HR) and affective reactions to state self-objectification as a function of gender. We examined negative affect, positive affect, guilt, and HR at 6-second and 5-minute intervals across baseline, control, high objectification, low objectification, and cologne conditions in men (n = 53) and women (n = 57). Mixed factorial MANOVA results indicated a statistically significant Gender × Condition interaction. Both men and women showed a cardiac orienting response to high versus low objectification. Cardiac stress reactions to objectification were higher among women. Negative affective reactions to objectification were more pervasive across conditions among women.

Notes

Note. PANAS-X = Positive and Negative Affect Scale–Expanded Form, Positive Affect, Negative Affect, and Guilt Subscales (Watson & Clark, 1994); Object = Objectified Condition (swimwear); Non-Object = Non-Objectified Condition (tracksuit).

Note. Heart rate (HR) assessed via three-lead electrocardiogram at 6-s and 5-min recording intervals; Object = Objectified Condition (swimwear); Non-Object = Non-Objectified Condition (tracksuit).

Note. PANAS-X = Positive and Negative Affect Scale–Expanded Form; 6-s HR = mean heart rate assessed by three-lead electrocardiogram at 6-s interval; NA = Negative Affect subscale; Guilt = Guilt subscale; M = male; F = female; B = Baseline; NO = Non-objectified (tracksuit); O = Objectified (swimsuit); NC = nonclothing control; CO = cologne.

*p ≤ .05. **p ≤ .01. ***p ≤ .001.

Note. PANAS-X = Positive and Negative Affect Scale–Expanded Form; HR = heart rate; 5-min HR = mean HR assessed by three-lead electrocardiogram at 5-min interval; NO = Non-objectified (tracksuit); B = Baseline; NC = Non-clothing control; CO = cologne; O = Objectified (swimsuit).

***p ≤ .001.

¹Participants were standing in clothing and cologne conditions and were seated in baseline and control conditions. Standing may have contributed to the increased HR observed in the clothing conditions. The fact that HR was still greater in the clothing compared to the cologne condition (in which participants were also standing) suggests increased HR in the clothing conditions cannot be simply explained by a posture-related effect.

²An increase in body temperature may have resulted in increased HR in the low objectification (tracksuit) condition at the 5-min interval. This possibility should evaluated further in future research.