Exploring the influence of mainstream print news sources on attitudes towards gender-roles, focussing on the covert maintenance of sexism in society
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- Title
- Exploring the influence of mainstream print news sources on attitudes towards gender-roles, focussing on the covert maintenance of sexism in society
- Creator
- Claire Robinson
- Supervisor
- Dr Felix de Beaumont.
- Date
- 2015
- Abstract
- Research examining the influence of mass media on attitudes towards gender has largely ignored the role played by the news media. Choosing instead to focus on entertainment sources such as advertisements and television programming (Goffman, 1979; Furnham & Paltzer, 2010). The current research was conducted to address this gap in research examining media influence, focussing on newspapers due to their covert influential power (Milestone & Meyer, 2011). Cultivation theory (Gerbner & Gross, 1976) provides the key theoretical basis for the research conducted, alongside Herman and Chomskys Propaganda Model (1988), and Ball-Rokeach and DeFleurs Media System Dependency Theory (1976). Aim: The study examined the influence of newspaper articles on attitudes towards gender-roles, focussing on material selected from the Daily Mail, the Sun and the Independent. It was expected that each newspaper would have a different influence on gender-role attitude scores, due to their contrasting political ideologies, circulation figures and readership demographics. Participants: A total of 92 participants completed the online study, consisting of 35 men, 46 women and 1 identifying as Other. The participants were aged from 17-59 (Mean: 29.7 years, SD=10.3). The participants were predominately heterosexual (N=77), 61 participants were currently in a relationship, with time spent in their current relationship ranging from 2 months to 40 years. The majority of participants had completed a first degree level qualification (N=30), indicating a highly educated sample. The majority of participants who reported their current household earnings per annum stated £40,000-£50,000 (N=20), indicating a largely affluent sample. Method: The study conducted was qualitative and quasi-experimental; the design was cross-sectional, with a repeated-measures component. Three sub-scales acted as initial dependent variables (MSS, Female Sexuality GAI, & Chivalry GAI). A composite dependent variable (Gender-Role Attitudes) was later developed within analysis. Three randomly assigned newspaper articles acted as independent variables, selected from the Daily Mail, The Sun and the Independent. Thematic analysis was conducted to justify article choice. Participants were recruited online using convenience and snowball sampling, and were required to complete the study online through Survey Monkey. Results: A one-way ANOVA indicated that there was no significant difference between gender-role attitude scores across the three newspaper conditions following exposure (F(2,89) = 0.86, p =0.43). A paired samples t-test was conducted on results for each newspaper condition. A significant difference was found between pre and post exposure gender-role attitude scores within the Sun condition only (t(43) = -3.738, p = 0.001). Exploratory analysis was conducting including demographic data gathered. Time in relationship and degree of religiosity were the only components found to significantly predict gender-role attitudes scores within the multiple regression analysis (F(2,59) = 9.411, p < .001, R2 = .242). Conclusions: Results indicate that further research is needed to examine the covert influence of news media sources on attitudes towards gender-roles. Limitations within the current study need to be addressed in future studies; In particular a more diverse sample needs to be examined. Future research may also benefit from repeating the current study within a controlled experimental setting, in order to reduce external distractions and participant fatigue.
- Subject
- Gender identity in mass media|Newspapers--Social aspects|Mass media and women|Women in mass media
- Psychology
- Extent
- 129 pages : colour illustrations
- Format
- Publisher
- Regent's University London
- degree
- MSc Psychology
- Language
- English
- Date Issued
- 2015
- Type
- Thesis & Dissertation
- Rights Holder
- Regent's University London & Claire Robinson
- Item sets
- Theses or Dissertation