Perceptions of Moral Violations among Media Characters

• In Event: Top 4 Papers in Mass Communication

Abstract

Our goal was to illustrate if dimensions of morality (Haidt & Joseph, 2004) can be used to differentiate heroes from villains in media. The findings demonstrate that perceptions differ consistently across some but not all dimensions of Authority, Fairness, Harm, Loyalty, and Purity. We additionally found that perceptions of these dimensions differ in how they are associated with trait characteristics used to describe characters. Therefore, these variables together may be useful to explain disposition formation.

Authors

• Allison Eden, Michigan State University

• Mary Beth Oliver, Penn State University

• Ron Tamborini, Michigan State University

• Julia Woolley, Penn State University

• Anthony Limperos, Penn State University