7 Aspects of Feeling Objectified and How to Overcome Them

According to Wang, objectification refers to treating others as mere things or tools that can help in one’s goal achievement while denying others’ autonomy, needs, and feelings.

Combining classical definitions of objectification, Wang suggests that objectification is marked by seven key features:

1. Instrumentality : When someone treats a target as a tool for his or her own purpose

2. Fungibility : When someone treats a target as interchangeable with other objects

3. Violability : When someone treats a target as lacking in boundary integrity

4. Ownership: When someone treats a target as though the target can be owned

5. Denial of autonomy: When someone treats a target as lacking in autonomy or self-determination

6. Inertness: When someone treats a target as lacking in agency or activity

7. Denial of subjectivity: When someone treats a target as someone whose experiences and feelings need not be taken into account

Over a series of three studies that included writing gratitude letters and imagining the effects of gratitude in an environment prone to behaviors of objectification, Wang’s research concluded that gratitude, both as a feeling and as a gesture, lowered the levels of objectification in a given environment.

For people who wish to cultivate gratitude in their daily lives, Wang proposes three simple tips:

• Reflection : Spend a few minutes every day thinking about the wonderful things in life (such as a movie, books, a TV show we enjoy, or even being able to bask in the sunshine).
• Exposing ourselves to nature : Spend time in nature by traveling to a place where you can enjoy a magnificent environment.
• Showing Appreciation : Writing a thank you note or verbally appreciating or thanking someone.

Wang, Xijing (Interview). How gratitude helps us feel whole. Therapytips.org, April 28th, 2022