• Login
    View Item 
    •   Home
    • UA Graduate and Undergraduate Research
    • UA Theses and Dissertations
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   Home
    • UA Graduate and Undergraduate Research
    • UA Theses and Dissertations
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Browse

    All of UA Campus RepositoryCommunitiesTitleAuthorsIssue DateSubmit DateSubjectsPublisherJournalThis CollectionTitleAuthorsIssue DateSubmit DateSubjectsPublisherJournal

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    About

    AboutUA Faculty PublicationsUA DissertationsUA Master's ThesesUA Honors ThesesUA PressUA YearbooksUA CatalogsUA Libraries

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    From Sexual Objects to Sexual Survivors: Exploring the Cognitive Inconsistencies Within a Media Counter-Sexualization Script

    • CSV
    • RefMan
    • EndNote
    • BibTex
    • RefWorks
    Thumbnail
    Name:
    azu_etd_19489_sip1_m.pdf
    Size:
    3.749Mb
    Format:
    PDF
    Download
    Author
    Terán, Larissa
    Issue Date
    2022
    Keywords
    cognitive dissonance
    gender
    media effects
    sexual assault
    sexual scripts
    sexualization
    Advisor
    Stevens Aubrey, Jennifer
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Publisher
    The University of Arizona.
    Rights
    Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction, presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
    Abstract
    Since the #MeToo movement of 2017, the modern media landscape reflects a set of two contradicting scripts in the media. The first is the dominant script where women are sexualized and encouraged to focus on their sexual appeal for men’s pleasure whereas men are encouraged to be sexual aggressors. The second is what I refer to as the Counter-Sexualization Script, wherein men are held accountable and punished for this same sexualization of women and women are valued outside of their sexualizing roles. Across three empirical studies, this dissertation investigated these cognitively inconsistent media messages. In Study 1, focus groups (n = 19) were conducted to conceptualize and develop items of the Counter-Sexualization Script. Three themes emerged in the focus groups: (1) Giving Women the Microphone, (2) Holding Predators Accountable, and (3) Consciousness Raising. These three themes served as the factors for the Counter-Sexualization Script measure. The identified themes informed 38 items for the Counter-Sexualization Script measure. In Study 2, I conducted factor analyses to examine if the Counter-Sexualization Script fit a three-factor structure with a separate sample of emerging adults (n = 605). Results indicated that the Counter-Sexualization Script fit a three-factor structure; 18 items were removed from the measure to improve model fit. The final Counter-Sexualization Script measure included 20 items and the three factors. Study 2 also established the convergent, predictive, and concurrent validity of the Counter-Sexualization Script measure. Results suggested that the Counter-Sexualization Script measure was uniquely distinct, yet negatively associated with similar concepts (e.g., self-objectification, sexism), demonstrated predictive ability with related concepts (e.g., heterosexual script endorsement, rape myth acceptance), and was positively associated with empathy towards rape victims; the Counter-Sexualization Script was not statistically associated with enjoyment of sexualization. Finally, individuals who had personal experience with sexual assault, sexual harassment, and were supporters of the #MeToo movement were the most likely to endorse the Counter-Sexualization Script. In Study 3, a 2 X 2 pre/post factorial experimental design (counter-sexualizing article and sexualizing article, sexualizing and neutral article, counter-sexualizing and neutral article, two neutral articles) was employed to investigate the effects of cognitively inconsistent media messages. Participants were recruited from Cloud Research and a large southwestern university (n = 308). Results exhibit that there are no significant direct effects from the message conditions on sexual aggression outcomes with one exception: There was a statistically significant interaction between media exposure to counter-sexualizing messages, endorsement in the Counter-Sexualization Script (pre-test score), and bystander intervention intentions. At low levels of endorsement in the Counter-Sexualization Script, participants who were exposed to a counter-sexualizing media message reported lower bystander intervention intentions. For the cognitive dissonance outcomes, there were no significant direct effects from the message conditions on psychological discomfort, counterarguing, or neglectful feelings towards the self with one exception: participants who were exposed to a sexualizing message versus those who were not reported greater psychological discomfort. Finally, mediation analyses exhibit that psychological discomfort mediated the relationships between the message conditions, neglectful feelings towards the self, and counterarguing. Results across the three studies have theoretical implications with sexual counter scripts and contradicting media messages. Also, results have implications for practitioners, media executives/producers, and parents regarding the affective and uncomfortable state produced by cognitively inconsistent media messages regarding sexualization.
    Type
    text
    Electronic Dissertation
    Degree Name
    Ph.D.
    Degree Level
    doctoral
    Degree Program
    Graduate College
    Communication
    Degree Grantor
    University of Arizona
    Collections
    Dissertations

    entitlement

     
    The University of Arizona Libraries | 1510 E. University Blvd. | Tucson, AZ 85721-0055
    Tel 520-621-6442 | repository@u.library.arizona.edu
    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2017  DuraSpace
    Quick Guide | Contact Us | Send Feedback
    Open Repository is a service operated by 
    Atmire NV
     

    Export search results

    The export option will allow you to export the current search results of the entered query to a file. Different formats are available for download. To export the items, click on the button corresponding with the preferred download format.

    By default, clicking on the export buttons will result in a download of the allowed maximum amount of items.

    To select a subset of the search results, click "Selective Export" button and make a selection of the items you want to export. The amount of items that can be exported at once is similarly restricted as the full export.

    After making a selection, click one of the export format buttons. The amount of items that will be exported is indicated in the bubble next to export format.