Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
5-2012
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Sociology
Committee Chair
Rodriguez, Jen
Author's Keywords
Gender; Animated film; Sociology; Children; Gender schema; Development
Subject
Sex role in motion pictures; Stereotypes (Social psychology); Sex role in children
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the gender stereotyping of two animated films by boys and girls (N=25). Based on Bern's (1983) gender schema theory, it was hypothesized that children would stereotype Aladdin as being for males and Pocahontas as being for females, based on the gender of the lead character. Interviews with participants (five to six years old) revealed that they did not gender stereotype the two films. A majority of both boys and girls liked the two films and felt they were for boys and girls. However, they did not think a girl could rescue another girl when asked to imagine different plot scenarios. They were more likely to believe a boy could save another boy. This study demonstrated that boys and girls relied on gender schemas in their interpretation of animated film.
Recommended Citation
Barnes, Katherine 1980-, "Perceptions of gender in young consumers of animated films." (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 72.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/72
