objectifies

Objectifies is the third-person singular present tense of the verb objectify. To objectify someone is to treat or regard that person as an object or instrument rather than as a whole, autonomous being. This often involves denying or downplaying a person’s agency, subjectivity, or humanity, and focusing on appearance, utility, or function instead.

Etymology and usage: The verb forms from the noun object plus the suffix -ify. Its etymology traces to Latin obiectus meaning “a thing thrown before” or “presented,” connected to ob- “toward” and iacere “to throw.” In English, objectify has been used in philosophy, psychology, and social theory since the 19th and 20th centuries, and remains common in discussions of power, representation, and interpersonal relations.

Contexts and implications: In feminist theory and cultural studies, objectification often refers to treating people—especially women or marginalized groups—as objects of desire or use, reducing them to physical attributes or roles. In media studies, objectifying depictions are analyzed for their impact on attitudes and behaviors. In contrast, a neutral or technical sense of objectification can refer to treating an entity as an object with discoverable properties, as opposed to a subject with agency. Self-objectification occurs when individuals internalize the external gaze, viewing themselves primarily as objects to be looked at.

Critiques and nuance: Some scholars distinguish descriptive observation or scientific description from dehumanizing objectification, urging careful language and context. Others note that power dynamics, intersectional identities, and cultural norms influence when and how objectification occurs.

See also: objectification, dehumanization, self-objectification, representation, gender studies.