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Category: Project

Description: Researchers have argued that the regulation of female sexuality is a major catalyst for women’s intrasexual aggression. The present research examined whether women aggress more against a sexualized woman and whether this is explained by lower ratings of target humanness. Results showed that women rated a woman lower on uniquely-human personality traits when she was dressed in a sexualized (vs. conventional) manner. Lower humanness ratings subsequently predicted increased aggression toward her in a behavioral measure of aggression. This effect was moderated by trait intrasexual competitiveness; lower humanness rating translated into more aggression, but only for women scoring relatively high in intrasexual competition. Follow-up studies revealed the effect of sexualized appearance upon perceived humanness was not due to the atypicality of the clothing in a university setting. The current project reveals a novel psychological mechanism through which interacting with a sexualized woman promotes aggressive behavior toward her.