Beyond the Mirror: Future Orientation Reduces Self-Objectification

Abstract

Self-objectification is a common phenomenon that has extensive adverse consequences for both women and men. The current research aimed to provide a preliminary test to see whether future orientation, a tendency to plan and consider long-term goals, could reduce people's self-objectification tendencies. In addition, we examined whether perceived meaning in life could account for this effect. These predictions were supported across three studies (N = 837) using multiple methods. In Study 1, participants who were induced to adopt a future orientation (vs. present orientation) assigned less points to attributes focusing on physical appearance. Studies 2 and 3 demonstrated the mediating role of perceived meaning in life in the relationship between future orientation and self-objectification with a correlational study (Study 2) and an experimental study (Study 3). Importantly, the predicted effects emerged among both genders. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.