The University Institute of Neuroscience is organizing the research seminar 'Objectification in Social Interaction: From Foundational Studies to Physiological and Behavioral Consequences', which will be taught by Daniela Ruzzante, from the University of Trento., Thursday, January 29th at 10:00 am in the audiovisual room of the Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy.

Sexual objectification is a widespread experience among women, with well-documented psychological consequences, but its social dynamics in real-life interactions remain understudied. The SIMO model conceptualizes objectification as an interactive, goal-oriented process embedded in patriarchal culture, but empirical evidence in real-world dyadic contexts is scarce. In this study, we extended the SIMO framework to real-life social encounters by examining physiological responses and interpersonal synchrony during cross-sex interactions. Forty-two male-female pairs engaged in spontaneous social interactions while their physiological activity was continuously recorded. Following an experimental manipulation of objectification, the pairs interacted again under the same conditions.

Women exposed to objectification perceived the interaction as less enjoyable, showed a lower willingness to continue the exchange, and exhibited greater self-objectification. At a physiological level, objectification was associated with reduced vagal activation, indicating increased discomfort and decreased physiological synchrony with their partner. Notably, these effects were not accompanied by increased self-censorship. Overall, the results demonstrate that objectifying interactions affect women psychologically, physiologically, and relationally, promoting a subtle disengagement rather than overt withdrawal. This dissociation between bodily discomfort and social behavior may contribute to the normalization of objectification and have long-term implications for women's well-being.