objectified

Objectified is an adjective describing the state or condition of being treated or regarded primarily as an object or thing, rather than as a person with agency and subjectivity. The term derives from the verb objectify, and objectification refers to the process by which a subject is reduced to an object for someone else’s use, value, or control. While the concept is widely used in social and cultural analysis, it can also apply to how nonhuman objects or data are treated as mere tools or commodities, though the term is most common in discussions of people.

In scholarly and public discourse, objectification is most often discussed in relation to gender, sexuality, and power dynamics. Sexual objectification occurs when a person is valued mainly for physical appearance or sexual appeal rather than for their full personhood. This pattern is frequently analyzed in media such as advertising, film, and photography, including theories like the male gaze that describe how power shapes representation. Self-objectification refers to individuals internalizing these external views, which can lead to body monitoring and negative effects on self-esteem and wellbeing.

Objectification raises ethical and social questions about autonomy, dignity, and equality. Critics argue that repeated objectification can contribute to discrimination, violence, and reduced agency, while some analyses explore contexts in which portrayals may critique or illuminate social norms. Responses include media literacy, ethical guidelines for representation, and scholarly critique aimed at reducing harmful objectification while acknowledging complex social dynamics. In philosophy, objectification intersects with theories of subjectivity, autonomy, and the relation between mind and body.