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"She's Just a Slut": The Effect of Language on the Perceived Value and Worth of Women.

Hughes, Melissa Marie

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, Communication.
This study examines the word “slut” and its impact on the way 638 participants perceived an individual woman. Two test groups were established using a survey that briefly describes a fictional woman named “Stacy”. Test group B received a survey that contained the word “slut/slutty” in reference to “Stacy” whereas Test Group A received a survey that contained the words “flirt/flirty” in reference to Stacy. Using a semantic differential scale that featured 20 word pairings, this study examined the likelihood that participants who were exposed to the word “slut” perceived “Stacy” more negatively than those who were not. Results show that the participants who were exposed to the word “slut” did perceive “Stacy” somewhat more negatively overall and in relation to word pairings that were both specifically related to promiscuity and specifically unrelated to promiscuity. The implications of these findings are discussed within a Symbolic Interactionalist framework and conclusions are made about the impact on society at large.
Teresa Thompson (Advisor)
Jason Combs (Committee Member)
James Robinson (Committee Member)
75 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hughes, M. M. (2016). "She's Just a Slut": The Effect of Language on the Perceived Value and Worth of Women. [Master's thesis, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1462187944

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hughes, Melissa. "She's Just a Slut": The Effect of Language on the Perceived Value and Worth of Women. 2016. University of Dayton, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1462187944.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hughes, Melissa. ""She's Just a Slut": The Effect of Language on the Perceived Value and Worth of Women." Master's thesis, University of Dayton, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1462187944

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)