The Portrayal of Interpersonal Conflict Management in Popular G and Pg-Rated Animated Films
23 Pages Posted: 17 Jul 2006
Abstract
Researchers have focused on the portrayal of violence in G-rated animated films and the possible effects on the viewers. These studies largely disregard the total communicative behaviours of characters when in situations of conflict. This study analyses the verbal and non verbal conflict management strategies used by characters experiencing interpersonal conflict through a quantitative content analysis of sixteen of the most popular animated films to date. It also seeks to extend its attention to both G and PG Rated animated films. The latter of which are largely under researched, yet they are continually growing in popularity among viewers both young and old. As a result of the noted differences between male's and female's conflict management styles (Sheldon, 1993; Tannen, 1991); particular attention has also been paid to the portrayal of the two sexes when engaged in interpersonal conflict. This extended abstract reports on the preliminary findings based on a pilot study conducted on two purposively selected animated films.
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