Sexualization is a process through which people view others, situations, or activities as related to romance, eroticism, or sex. It involves assigning meanings that emphasize these aspects and reducing the importance of others.
A movie might be described as "a sexy thriller" because it has many explicit scenes of violence and nudity that appeal to adults' interests. Sexualizing something can make it more desirable and exciting, but also obscure its true nature and purpose. Sexualized perceptions often lead to misunderstandings, which hinder communication clarity and conflict resolution.
When people communicate, they may assume that their partner shares similar interpretations of what was said.
If one person perceives something sexually while another does not, this can cause confusion.
Suppose a woman describes her day to a man who sees her as a potential lover. If she mentions a co-worker, he could misinterpret the story as flirting and respond negatively, causing conflict between them. This happens frequently in relationships where partners have different sexual orientations, ages, or past experiences. People may think their partners share similar views about certain topics due to cultural norms, stereotypes, or personal preferences. They might use euphemisms like "dirty talk," innuendos, or double entendres without realizing the other person will interpret them differently.
Sexualized perceptions may affect nonverbal communication too. Someone might touch, glance at, or gesture towards someone else in ways that signal attraction, desire, or rejection. These gestures are often ambiguous and open to interpretation, so people must correctly read them to avoid misunderstandings. Suppose two individuals with differing levels of comfort with physical contact interact, such as coworkers on an elevator. One might touch the other on the arm, assuming it is friendly, but the other might view it as intimate and disruptive. The first person could get offended by the second's reaction or upset if they do nothing.
Sexualized perceptions impede effective communication because they obscure meaning and lead to incorrect assumptions. To overcome these problems, people should clarify their intentions clearly and honestly when communicating with others. They should also be aware of social cues and expectations related to gender roles, body language, and personal boundaries. By avoiding sexualization and respecting each other's perspectives, people can improve clarity and resolution in their interactions.
How do sexualized perceptions impact communication clarity and conflict resolution?
The concept of sexualization has been widely explored within the context of how individuals perceive and communicate with each other. Studies have found that individuals who are sexually attracted to one another tend to focus on physical features rather than verbal cues when communicating (Brown et al. , 2015).