Search

Affective disposition theory (ADT) and its extensions posit that character liking/disliking is based on viewer perceptions of character behaviors or the activation of character schemas that imply moral/immoral behaviors. This paper systematically examines whether events that happen to a character independent of their behavior also contribute to the development of character liking. Based on the modified affective disposition model (MADM), two studies were conducted where participants read a story introduction that manipulated whether a positive or negative event (described as egoistic need satisfaction/thwarting by the MADM) had befallen a character. In Study 1, the character was liked more when a negative economic event had befallen them and liked less when a positive economic event had befallen them as compared to a control condition. In Study 2, these effects were replicated. However, in Study 2 we also examined whether health-related events would elicit similar effects. Participants liked the character more regardless of whether a positive or negative health event befell her. These findings suggest unique contextual effects associated with which specific egoistic intuitions are satisfied or thwarted. As such they provide novel directions for research designed to test and specify the predictions of the MADM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Media psychologists commonly study how narrative elements (e.g. characters) influence entertainment and perceptions. Research on the sequencing and structure of these elements (i.e. metanarrative; the shape of the story) is less common. In both areas, morality tends to ground theorizing (e.g. disposition theory). To extend knowledge in these domains, we conceptualize and observe the effects of side-taking (i.e. choosing a side during conflict), a core concept in narratives and moral psychology. Dynamic coordination theory explains that side-taking is fundamental to morality because it signals moral judgment/condemnation. In a preregistered experiment (N = 577), we observed how the direction (i.e. siding with/against the protagonists or taking no side) and timing of side-taking (i.e. early, middle, or late in the story) influenced variables at multiple levels of analysis (i.e. micro-to-macro). Although timing did not produce effects, we found robust evidence that the direction of side-taking affected variables at all levels of analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuation is the process by which humans form their perceptions about others based on a variety of unique attributes of the person. Psychological research finds that personal details can individuate a person, especially when they are perceived as atypical for the social category. We apply this logic to affective disposition theory to determine whether character individuation can influence disposition formation. Two pilot studies validated the typicality and moral irrelevance of six pairs of character details. We then deployed these details in an experiment (N = 822) in which participants viewed a biography of a fictional U.S. Marine character. We manipulated the proportion of atypical character details included in the biography in a continuous fashion. Findings indicate a positive linear relationship between the manipulation and several character perception variables. Adding discriminant validity to the findings, we found a negative relationship between the manipulation and perceived realism. Our experimental design and analyses controlled for objective similarity of the character with the participant and the moral relevance of the character details. Thus, our results suggest character individuation is a unique and previously unidentified route of disposition formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current manuscript presents a study that examines contextual factors that can explain two distinct types of viewer responses to death in narratives. Using procedures developed in past research, we explore why some narrative character deaths elicit poignant, eudaimonic responses while others elicit joyful, hedonic responses. We incorporate a control group to examine whether freely-recalled memorable deaths are more closely associated with feelings of meaning or pleasure. Results suggest that meaningful deaths lead to appreciation; befall liked, moral characters; and elicit mixed/negative affect, whereas pleasurable deaths lead to enjoyment; befall disliked, immoral characters, and elicit positive affect. In addition, freely-recalled character death is more closely aligned with meaningful death and its correlates than pleasurable death and its correlates. We conclude with a discussion of how the current findings can improve the use of mediated death in clinical settings, particularly as a strategy for approaching instances of disenfranchised grief. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2010.01513.x Byline: Ron Tamborini (1), Nicholas David Bowman (2), Allison Eden (1), Matthew Grizzard (1), Ashley Organ (1) Abstract: This article presents a model of enjoyment rooted in self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985) that includes the satisfaction of three needs related to psychological well-being: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. In an experiment designed to validate this conceptualization of enjoyment, we manipulate video game characteristics related to the satisfaction of these needs and examine their relative effects on enjoyment. The validated model explains 51% of the variance in enjoyment, even without including needs usually studied in relation to enjoyment such as pleasure seeking. Results indicate the utility of defining enjoyment as need satisfaction. These results are discussed in terms of a broader conceptualization of enjoyment represented as the satisfaction of a comprehensive set of functional needs. Abstract (French) Definir l'appreciation des medias comme etant la satisfaction de besoins intrinseques Ron Tamborini, Nicholas David Bowman, Allison Eden, Matthew Grizzard & Ashley Organ Cet article presente un modele de l'appreciation qui se base sur la theorie de l'auto-determination (Deci & Ryan, 1985) et qui inclut la satisfaction de trois besoins lies au bien-etre psychologique : l'autonomie, la competence et l'affinite. Dans une experience elaboree pour valider cette conceptualisation de l'appreciation, nous avons manipule des caracteristiques de jeux video liees a la satisfaction de ces besoins et nous avons examine leurs effets respectifs sur l'appreciation. Le modele valide explique 51 % de la variance dans l'appreciation, sans meme inclure les besoins generalement etudies en lien avec l'appreciation, comme la recherche de plaisir. Les resultats indiquent l'utilite de definir l'appreciation comme etant la satisfaction d'un besoin. Ces resultats sont commentes dans le cadre d'une conceptualisation plus large de l'appreciation telle que representee comme etant la satisfaction d'un ensemble global de besoins fonctionnels. Mots cles : appreciation, theorie de l'auto-determination, hedonisme, medias de divertissement, bien-etre psychologique. Abstract (German): Enjoyment als Befriedigung intrinsischer Bedurfnisse Ron Tamborini, Nicholas David Bowman, Allison Eden, Matthew Grizzard & Ashley Organ Der vorliegende Artikel prasentiert ein Enjoyment-Modell, das seine Ursprunge in der Selbstbestimmungstheorie (Deci & Ryan, 1985) hat, und dabei die Befriedigung von drei Bedurfnissen betrachtet, die mit psychologischen Wohlbefinden zusammenhangen: Autonomie, Kompetenz und Verbundenheit. In einem Experiment zur Validierung dieses Enjoyment-Konzepts manipulierten wir Eigenschaften von Videospielen hinsichtlich der Befriedigung dieser Bedurfnisse und untersuchten den relativen Effekt auf Enjoyment. Das validierte Modell erklart 51 Prozent der Varianz von Enjoyment, und das sogar ohne Bedurfnisse zu berucksichtigen, die sonst im Zusammenhang mit Enjoyment untersucht werden (z.B. Vergnugungssuche). Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass die Definition von Enjoyment als Bedurfnisbefriedigung brauchbar ist. Die Ergebnisse werden in Bezug auf eine breitere Konzeptualisierung von Enjoyment als die Befriedigung eines umfassenden Sets von funktionellen Bedurfnissen diskutiert. Schlusselbegriffe: Enjoyment, Selbstbestimmungstheorie, Hedonismus, Unterhaltungsmedien, psychologisches Wohlbefinden Abstract (Spanish): Definiendo el Placer de los Medios como la Satisfaccion de las Necesidades Intrinsecas Ron Tamborini Nicholas David Bowman Allison Eden, Matthew Grizzard, and Ashley Organ Resumen El ensayo siguiente presenta un modelo del placer basado en la teoria de la auto-determinacion (Deci & Ryan, 1985) que incluye la satisfaccion de 3 necesidades relacionadas con el bienestar sicologico de la persona: la autonomia, la competencia y el grado de relacion. En un experimento disenado para validar esta conceptualizacion del placer, manipulamos las caracteristicas de video juegos relacionadas con la satisfaccion de estas necesidades y examinamos sus efectos relativos sobre el placer. El modelo validado explica el 51 por ciento de la varianza del placer, aun sin incluir las necesidades usualmente estudiadas en relacion al placer tales como la busqueda de placer. Los resultados indican la utilidad de definir al placer como una necesidad de satisfaccion. Estos resultados son discutidos en relacion a una conceptualizacion mas amplia del placer representado como la satisfaccion de una serie comprensiva de necesidades funcionales. Palabras Claves: placer, teoria de la auto-determinacion, hedonismo, medios de entretenimiento, bienestar sicologico Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Communication, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA (2) Department of Communication Studies, Young Harris College, Young Harris, GA 30582, USA Article note: Ron Tamborini; email: tamborin@msu.edu

How viewers form dispositions toward narrative characters is a central question of affective disposition theory. Two routes are explained by current models: Schema activation, whereby viewers' dispositions are based on perceived narrative role, and behavioral approbation, whereby viewers' dispositions are based on moral approval/disapproval of behavior. What remains unclear is how competing character schemas function: Do they exert their influence in the same location of the serial process? Or, does the impact of schemas on disposition formation depend on the schema? The current paper builds on past work that experimentally manipulated schema activation and behavioral approbation with experimental inductions. We extend that past work by crossing its hero/villain-schema induction with another: character gender. After validating stimuli in a pilot study, our main experiment demonstrated that gender did not moderate hero/villain-schema activation; behavioral approbation, however, was more extreme for female characters. Theoretical implications suggest that various character schemas may have distinct roles to play in disposition formation, with these distinctions being unaccounted for by current theory. Practical implications suggest that female characters may elicit stronger positive/negative dispositions and, through outcome evaluation processes, narrative enjoyment. Thus, Hollywood's current lack of female character representation is likely hurting their bottom line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In both narrative theory and evolutionary psychology, equitable-retribution —or the idea that punishments for committing a moral transgression should be equivalent to the transgression itself—is a centerpiece of discussion. This article reports results from a blocked within-subjects experiment that examined speed of cognitive processing and subjective rating of three types of narrative retribution: equitable-retribution; under-retribution, where punishment is absent for a transgression; and over-retribution, where punishment exceeds the severity of the transgression. Results suggest that narrative endings depicting equitable-retribution are processed more quickly and liked more than endings with under-retribution and over-retribution. In addition, liking seems to correspond with enjoyment for equitable-retribution and over-retribution; for under-retribution, liking seems to correspond with appreciation. Discussion focuses on implications for theory and extending the current experimental paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Witnessing characters enact and receive punishment for transgressions – that is, narrative retribution – is central to affective disposition theory. Despite its centrality, a standardized set of retribution narratives is absent from the literature. The current study seeks to provide validation evidence for a set of retribution narratives used in a previous study. Based on theoretical conceptualizations of narrative retribution, we examined the validity of 15 narratives that include three different endings which vary the level of retribution in terms of under-retribution (i.e., forgiveness), equitable-retribution (i.e., tit-for-tat punishment), and over-retribution (i.e., punishment that exceeds the original transgression). Consistent with hypotheses, we show that the three endings fit (a) a positive linear trend with regard to the perceived severity of the retribution, (b) an inverted-U trend with regard to ending preference, (c) a positive linear trend with regard to anticipated enjoyment, and (d) a decreasing quadratic trend with regard to anticipated appreciation. We also link findings to trait variables identified by previous research, namely biological sex, punitiveness, vigilantism, media moral disengagement, and empathy. Findings suggest that three trait variables – vigilantism, empathy, and sex – are the most useful as potential moderators and should be considered first for inclusion in future studies. Findings also specify theoretical relationships of these variables to narrative retribution processes. Based on the evidence provided here and in earlier research, the 15 narratives with their alternative endings seem to be the best candidate for a standardized stimulus set for exploring the impact of narrative retribution on media psychology-relevant processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]