Meaningful Films: The Relationship Between Elevation, Connectedness, Compassionate Love, and Helping Behavior

• In Event: Mass Communication: Elevation, Meaningfulness, Altruism

Abstract

Expanding on the research of meaningful entertainment media and its effects, this study investigated the relationship between experiences related to elevation responses to film, and helping behavior. Whereas research thus far has focused primarily on portrayals of altruism to elicit elevation, the results of this study show that portrayals of connectedness, love, and kindness in meaningful films are also able to elicit feelings of elevation. Moreover, elevation mediated the relationship between meaningful films and feelings of connectedness to the transcendent, gratitude towards one’s family; the importance of love in life; compassionate love towards close others; and compassionate motivation to love and be good to humanity. Helping behavior was the greatest for females who remembered a meaningful film and experienced very high levels elevation. The study demonstrates the potential of meaningful films to increase experiences of connectedness to the transcendent and motivation to be more compassionate even to strangers.

Authors

• Sophie H Janicke, Florida State U

• Mary Beth Oliver, Pennsylvania State U