1. Pride and prejudice and zombies...and statistics: Effects of powerful female role-models in media on attitudes towards women, and female viewer anxiety
- Author
-
Mubarak, Naser and Ferguson, Christopher J.
- Subjects
Women -- Portrayals ,Psychological research ,Role models -- Social aspects -- Psychological aspects ,Characters and characteristics in motion pictures -- Social aspects -- Psychological aspects -- Influence ,Anxiety -- Research ,Psychology and mental health - Abstract
At present, there have been a number of studies examining the sexualization of female characters in various media. However, most studies to date have not clearly delineated whether sexualized images or the presence of assertive versus passive female characters influences negative attitudes toward women in viewers, as well as female viewer anxiety. The present study investigated whether the inclusion of powerful female characters in movies with sexualized content influences both male and female viewers' attitudes towards women as well as anxiety responses of female reviewers. Participants included 134 undergraduate students attending a private liberal arts university in the southern region of the United States. Participants were randomized to watch one of three movie conditions: first, movies that involve strong female lead characters, but which also include sexualized characters, Second, movies that involve strong female lead characters without sexualization and third, movies that involve sexualized female characters without strong portrayals (i.e. damsels in distress). Participants were measured on attitudes toward women, rape myth acceptance and anxiety. Results indicated little support for the view that sexualized media impacted viewers' attitudes toward women, rape myth acceptance or anxiety., Author(s): Naser Mubarak [sup.1] , Christopher J. Ferguson [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.264307.4, 0000 0000 9688 1551, Department of Psychology, Stetson University, , 421 N. Woodland Blvd., 32729, DeLand, FL, [...]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF