Self-Objectification Test (OBC)

The Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBC) was created in 1996 by psychologists N. McKinley and J. Hyde to measure how individuals internalize societal perspectives on physical appearance. Rather than focusing solely on body satisfaction or eating behavior, McKinley and Hyde sought to understand the psychological experience of treating one's own body as an object to be looked at and evaluated by others. This construct, known as self-objectification, reflects how constantly a person monitors their visual presence and how much their self-worth depends on meeting external aesthetic standards rather than internal physical experiences.

The OBC breaks self-objectification into three core dimensions that influence daily cognition and emotion. The first dimension, Body Surveillance, describes the habitual monitoring of one's appearance. People with high surveillance scores frequently think about how they look to others, checking their reflection or adjusting their clothing, prioritizing visual appearance over comfort or bodily sensations. The second dimension, Body Shame, measures the emotional impact of falling short of cultural physical ideals. High body shame manifests as feeling like a failure or experiencing guilt when one believes they have not made sufficient effort to look their best or cannot control their shape.

The third dimension assessed by the OBC is Body Control, which reflects personal beliefs regarding one's ability to shape physical appearance through willpower and effort. Individuals who hold strong control beliefs view physical appearance as highly malleable, believing that anyone can achieve an ideal look if they are willing to work hard enough. While control beliefs can foster motivation, extremely rigid expectations regarding bodily control can lead to heightened frustration when biological realities limit physical changes, exacerbating feelings of personal responsibility for perceived aesthetic shortcomings.

Psychological research using the OBC has established significant links between high self-objectification and various mental health outcomes. Frequent body surveillance consumes cognitive resources, diverting attention away from internal physical signals like hunger, heart rate, or emotional states. Studies demonstrate that individuals experiencing elevated levels of body surveillance and body shame report higher rates of anxiety, diminished self-esteem, and greater susceptibility to disordered eating patterns. Furthermore, research indicates that societal pressures contribute to varying baseline levels of self-objectification across different demographic groups and cultural contexts.

When viewing your profile, you will see population comparison markers displayed alongside your scores across these three subscales. Population comparison markers on the chart are estimates from published samples, not validated percentiles or norms. These reference points offer helpful context regarding how individual scores compare to broad sample averages found in psychological literature, helping you understand where your tendencies sit relative to general research data without treating those reference points as clinical benchmarks.

Please note that this assessment is designed strictly for educational and self-reflection purposes. It does not constitute psychological evaluation, medical advice, or clinical diagnosis. This test is based on the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBC) and is not affiliated with its original authors or their academic institutions. Understanding your tendencies around body surveillance, shame, and control beliefs can serve as a meaningful starting point for personal growth and constructive reflection on your relationship with your body.

References

• McKinley, N. M. & Hyde, J. S. (1996). The Objectified Body Consciousness Scale: Development and Validation. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 20(2), 181-215.