Sexualization Of Women In Video Games

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Studies recently show that they utilized an experimental design to investigate the effects of exposure to sexualized female video game characters on stereotyping genders and female self-concept in young adults. Students at a University participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to play a “sexualized” character, a “non-sexualized” character, or no video game then complete an online survey that helped answer some questions about how we view women in video games. Female self-worth was negatively affected by game play with the sexualized female character design. Outcomes of this study suggest that playing a sexualized video game heroine unfavorably influenced people’s view and beliefs of women in reality.

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Moreover, images that idealize the female body in the media have been shown to negatively affect girls’ general feelings of self-worth. Although little to no investigations have examined the effects of gender stereotypes in video games on video gamers, the findings based on media point to the gender related outcomes that can be anticipated with new entertainment. As such, the present study examines the effects of exposure to sexual portrayals of women in video games on peoples’ gender attitudes and beliefs and on female self-esteem and …show more content…

In exacting, gamers may adopt beliefs and standards that are in line with these sexualized portrayals, resulting in the desire to be like the characters and to judge self and other based upon the characters. Although it could be the case that exposure to images of strong, powerful female heroines in video games may empower girls and women through these characters’ quintessence of female success, strength, and intelligence, the overwhelming presence of female sexualization is likely to reduce positive effects that may appear. The blending of stereotypical and counter-stereotypical attributes into female heros, like Lara Croft, complicates the task of accepting the influence of such portrayals on media

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