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Sexual Arousal Boosts Men’s Objectification, Empathy Writing Helps

5/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

UK scientists Arnaud Wisman and Andrew G. Thomas found sexual arousal raises men’s objectification of women.
Across Experiments 1-3 (154-160 men each), erotic images raised preference for physical traits and temporary objectification, without affecting neutral body-part or trait scores.
Experiment 4 (201 men) used an empathy writing task that eliminated the arousal-objectification effect except among high Dark Triad participants.

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Story summary

UK scientists Arnaud Wisman and Andrew G. Thomas found sexual arousal raises men’s objectification of women.
Across Experiments 1-3 (154-160 men each), erotic images raised preference for physical traits and temporary objectification, without affecting neutral body-part or trait scores.
Experiment 4 (201 men) used an empathy writing task that eliminated the arousal-objectification effect except among high Dark Triad participants.