Objectification refers to the perception and treatment of human beings as mere objects. Although this dehumanizing process has deeply permeated the domain of work throughout history, social psychology researchers have only recently begun to empirically investigate it. Here, we review the recent literature that analysed working objectification by considering its two main facets: objectification (when workers are objectified by others) and self-objectification (when workers objectify themselves). First, we theoretically define the construct of working objectification, disentangling it from related constructs and reviewing the research on motivational and cognitive processes underpinning workers’ objectification. Then, we focus on the workers’ perspective and systematise the research on the consequences of the metaperception of being objectified. Finally, we focus on a series of experimental and field studies that analyse the antecedents and consequences of workers’ self-objectification. We conclude by discussing future directions and highlighting the theoretical and practical contributions of this line of research.

Baldissarri, C., Andrighetto, L., Volpato, C. (2022). The longstanding view of workers as objects: antecedents and consequences of working objectification. EUROPEAN REVIEW OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, 33(1), 81-130 [10.1080/10463283.2021.1956778].

The longstanding view of workers as objects: antecedents and consequences of working objectification

Baldissarri C.
Primo
;
Volpato C.
2022

Abstract

Objectification refers to the perception and treatment of human beings as mere objects. Although this dehumanizing process has deeply permeated the domain of work throughout history, social psychology researchers have only recently begun to empirically investigate it. Here, we review the recent literature that analysed working objectification by considering its two main facets: objectification (when workers are objectified by others) and self-objectification (when workers objectify themselves). First, we theoretically define the construct of working objectification, disentangling it from related constructs and reviewing the research on motivational and cognitive processes underpinning workers’ objectification. Then, we focus on the workers’ perspective and systematise the research on the consequences of the metaperception of being objectified. Finally, we focus on a series of experimental and field studies that analyse the antecedents and consequences of workers’ self-objectification. We conclude by discussing future directions and highlighting the theoretical and practical contributions of this line of research.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
dehumanization; Objectification; self-objectification; work; workers
English
9-ago-2021
2022
33
1
81
130
none
Baldissarri, C., Andrighetto, L., Volpato, C. (2022). The longstanding view of workers as objects: antecedents and consequences of working objectification. EUROPEAN REVIEW OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, 33(1), 81-130 [10.1080/10463283.2021.1956778].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/325736
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