See Jane entertain: Exploring a conceptual model of the effects of (semi)fictional entertainment on attitude towards female politicians

Azmat Rasul, Zayed University

ORCID Identifiers

0000-0001-7843-3058

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Communication Research and Practice

Publication Date

1-1-2021

Abstract

In political campaigns, candidates and parties frequently use biographical films based on politicians’ life stories to attract voters during election years. However, little academic attention is paid to investigating the cognitive and affective influences of biographical political movies on viewers’ attitudes. This study explores the psychological processes underlying these influences, which might change audiences’ attitudes towards political protagonists in the movies. Specifically, this study focuses on the mediating role of narrative transportation and enjoyment as psychological influences affecting viewers’ attitudes towards female politicians in the biographical films. Using data from 331 participants in an experimental study, a conceptual model was tested, which yielded significant results. The study found that enjoyment and narrative transportation experienced during exposure to biographical films positively influenced viewers’ attitude towards the lead character depicted as a female politician. These findings contribute to and provide important clarification to the existing literature and have both methodological and practical implications.

Publisher

Informa UK Limited

Volume

7

Issue

3

First Page

243

Last Page

262

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

attitude, biographical films, enjoyment, Entertainment, female politicians, narrative transportation

Scopus ID

85123611080

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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