Objectification In Psychology

Problems of Perspectives Not Taken

Recent psychological research has indicated elevated power causes a multitude of negative repercussions in the workforce. Of these negative outcomes, one in which our team is most concerned with is the tendency of power to lead to less perspective taking (Galinsky, Magee, Inesi, & Gruenfeld, 2006). Moreover, when this susceptibility to dismiss the opinions of others is paired with the likelihood of those in power to focus on the completion of goals, it engenders the powerful to objectify their subordinates and peers. Objectification, which is most commonly defined as the process of subjecting individuals as instruments in order to complete a task, is therefore, a common repercussion of power (Gruenfeld, Inesi,

The literature surrounding objectification states that those who are in positions of authority are more likely to focus on central traits, which allow for the completion of goals rather than prosocial outcomes (Gruenfeld et al., 2008). Moreover, it is this focus on central traits which can also engender the use of stereotypes in the workplace (Fiske, 1993). In one experiment conducted by Gruenfeld and colleagues, participants who were subliminally primed with sexual goals were more likely to spend time socializing with an attractive member of the opposite sex who added no benefit to the completion of the desired task (2008). What is more, in a different study run by Gruenfeld and his contemporaries, participants were more likely to approach rude instrumental targets when they were primed with high power, while those in low power were less likely to socialize with this useful, but antisocial other (2008). These two studies demonstrate powers ability to increase goal-oriented behavior, which correspondingly leads to the objectification of useful targets. In other words, when those primed in a high power mindset encounter individuals who are beneficial to the completion of goals, they are more likely to engage in