objectificationfocusing

Objectificationfocusing is a term used to denote a cognitive and social pattern in which attention and interpretation are directed toward object-like attributes of a target, treating that target primarily as an object or instrument rather than as an integrated agent. The term is not widely standardized and appears mainly in interdisciplinary discussions among psychology, media studies, and design, where researchers examine how focus on form, utility, or surface features shapes perception and interaction.

In perception and communication, objectificationfocusing can manifest as heightened attention to physical features, instrumental value, or bodily parts, while subjective experience, intentions, and agency are deemphasized. In media and marketing, images that foreground form, function, or commodification can encourage viewers to view people or products primarily as objects of use or consumption. In human-computer interaction, focusing on object properties such as size, usability, and efficiency reflects a design emphasis on tangible attributes.

Objectificationfocusing is related to, but distinct from, objectification theory in feminist psychology, which describes how individuals are reduced to bodies or body parts in social appraisal. Researchers may study it using eye-tracking, rating tasks, or experiments that manipulate cues of agency or objecthood. Critics argue that the term risks semantic ambiguity; proponents see it as a descriptive label for a recurring pattern across domains. Implications include potential benefits for design and communication, but possible contributions to dehumanization if unchecked.