Some of the behaviors used to evaluate the characters were taken from previous studies and research on gendered behavior or characteristics in media (England et al. 2011). Other new themes throughout the films were written down and later defined into specific categories. Masculine and feminine characteristics were coded as well as the biological sex of each character. Social roles were coded as well in order to determine the differences between males and females in a larger context. All characteristics were assessed for all performers in each film, including by standards. The prominence of the character in the film was not relevant for the purposes of coding for stereotypes, social roles, and sexual appearance. If a character in the films was observed by the coders as portraying a gender stereotype, or a typical social role, etc. at any point in the narrative, that character was measured as a behavior. Operational Definitions of Coding Characteristics The film’s content was coded for the gendered characteristics of actors throughout the films (masculine and feminine), social roles by the character’s biological sex, and the appearance of performers by body frame and clothing. The operational definitions were established based on past research (Smith et al. 2008) and learned definitions. Masculine Traits Strong-lifting of heavy objects, depicted as muscular, or ability to fight… Brave-courageous, save the other characters, not afraid of anything, or ability to rescue other characters… Competitive-the urge to win, being a winner, aggressive, combative, or trials of win or lose. There is usually a winner or a loser…
Some of the behaviors used to evaluate the characters were taken from previous studies and research on gendered behavior or characteristics in media (England et al. 2011). Other new themes throughout the films were written down and later defined into specific categories. Masculine and feminine characteristics were coded as well as the biological sex of each character. Social roles were coded as well in order to determine the differences between males and females in a larger context. All characteristics were assessed for all performers in each film, including by standards. The prominence of the character in the film was not relevant for the purposes of coding for stereotypes, social roles, and sexual appearance. If a character in the films was observed by the coders as portraying a gender stereotype, or a typical social role, etc. at any point in the narrative, that character was measured as a behavior. Operational Definitions of Coding Characteristics The film’s content was coded for the gendered characteristics of actors throughout the films (masculine and feminine), social roles by the character’s biological sex, and the appearance of performers by body frame and clothing. The operational definitions were established based on past research (Smith et al. 2008) and learned definitions. Masculine Traits Strong-lifting of heavy objects, depicted as muscular, or ability to fight… Brave-courageous, save the other characters, not afraid of anything, or ability to rescue other characters… Competitive-the urge to win, being a winner, aggressive, combative, or trials of win or lose. There is usually a winner or a loser…
Big%20Man's%20Not%20Afraid.docx