Effects of Stereotypical Sex Role Movies on Adolescents and Emerging Adults
- Cristina Polo-Alonso Leuven School for Mass Communication Research, University of KU Leuven (Belgium) and research collaborator at the Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising II (University Complutense of Madrid, Spain)
- Laurens Vangeel Leuven School for Mass Communication Research, University of KU Leuven (Belgium)
- Laura Vandenbosch Leuven School for Mass Communication Research, University of KU Leuven (Belgium).
Abstract
This experiment examines the effect of movies portraying stereotypical sex roles on sexual gender stereotypes and rape myths among adolescents and emerging adults (N = 116). After watching a stereotypical sex role movie or a control movie, participants completed a survey on their acceptance of sexual stereotypes and rape myths. Results showed that male and female adolescents who watched the stereotyped movie reported more acceptance of gender stereotypes and rape myths. No effects were found among emerging adults. Social learning theory and media priming are used in discussing these findings.Downloads
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