College Women’s Perceptions of Music Video Sexual Content
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC 271
Start Date
17-5-2012
End Date
17-5-2012
Abstract
Sexual content in the media is often viewed as a single, problematic entity, but it is possible that different types of sexual content exist and have different effects on viewers. In this study, fifteen undergraduate women each watched seven randomly-assigned music videos from a set of 21 popular music videos. All videos featured female characters and/or a female performer. Participants rated the extent to which each video could be described as being non-sexual, sexually objectifying, or equating sex with power. Participants also rated the extent to which female characters were passive and active and the overall intensity of the video’s sexual content. The findings suggest that different styles of displayed female sex appeal communicate different messages about women. The results of this study are being used in ongoing research to determine the effects of music video sexual content type on women.
Recommended Citation
Stefani, Whitney and Greenwald, Ralf, "College Women’s Perceptions of Music Video Sexual Content" (2012). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 76.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2012/oralpresentations/76
Additional Mentoring Department
Psychology
College Women’s Perceptions of Music Video Sexual Content
SURC 271
Sexual content in the media is often viewed as a single, problematic entity, but it is possible that different types of sexual content exist and have different effects on viewers. In this study, fifteen undergraduate women each watched seven randomly-assigned music videos from a set of 21 popular music videos. All videos featured female characters and/or a female performer. Participants rated the extent to which each video could be described as being non-sexual, sexually objectifying, or equating sex with power. Participants also rated the extent to which female characters were passive and active and the overall intensity of the video’s sexual content. The findings suggest that different styles of displayed female sex appeal communicate different messages about women. The results of this study are being used in ongoing research to determine the effects of music video sexual content type on women.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Ralf Greenwald