COLLEGE STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS TOWARD A POPULAR MEDIA CHARACTER WITH QUALITIES OF ASPERGER SYNDROME
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Cleveland State University / OhioLINK
2014
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1398938713 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-csu13989387132021-08-03T06:24:19Z COLLEGE STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS TOWARD A POPULAR MEDIA CHARACTER WITH QUALITIES OF ASPERGER SYNDROME Meeks, Lisa M. Behaviorial Sciences Communication Developmental Psychology Educational Psychology Higher Education Asperger Syndrome Sheldon Cooper The Big Bang Theory Social Learning Theory Perceptions of ASD Popular Television Entertainment Education ASD Autism College Students Autism Quotient Shared Activities Questionnaire Prosocial Modeling Media This study examines the potential mediating effects of prior knowledge regarding autism spectrum disorders and Asperger syndrome (AS), first and second-generation family ties, college major, gender, and level of exposure to Dr. Sheldon Cooper, the main character of The Big Bang Theory, on college students perceptions of a popular television character who displays traits and characteristics of Asperger syndrome/autism spectrum disorder. Bandura's (1971a) Social Learning Theory and Social Cognitive Theory (2004b) provide the framework through which the researcher attempts to understand how popular media impacts college students perceptions of autism spectrum disorders. A total of 102 college students (aged 18-40 years) from multiple colleges across the United States completed two instruments that were modified for use in this study: The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ; Baron-Cohen, 2001), and the Shared Activities Questionnaire (SAQ; Morgan, Walker, Bieberich, & Bell, 1996). Participants also answered demographic questions relating to age, race, major, exposure to The Big Bang Theory, and a researcher-developed knowledge of autism questionnaire. Students overwhelmingly rated Sheldon Cooper as an individual with AS. Findings from the study indicate that gender, ethnicity, income level, and exposure to The Big Bang Theory were statistically significant predictors for students’ rating of Sheldon Cooper as an individual with AS. Being a math/science/engineering major or having a second degree relationship with a person on the spectrum did not significantly predict students ratings of Sheldon as an individual with AS, nor did these variables predict students desire to engage with Sheldon in an academic, social or recreational domain.The use of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory as an introduction to AS may be a valuable tool for working with the peers of students on the spectrum as findings suggest that repeated exposure to The Big Bang Theory reduces students clinicalization of Sheldon Cooper's behavior, perhaps through normalization of behaviors or exposure to prosocial modeling via behaviors of the supporting cast. 2014-05-13 English text Cleveland State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1398938713 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1398938713 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: some rights reserved. It is licensed for use under a Creative Commons license. Specific terms and permissions are available from this document's record in the OhioLINK ETD Center. |
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NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Behaviorial Sciences Communication Developmental Psychology Educational Psychology Higher Education Asperger Syndrome Sheldon Cooper The Big Bang Theory Social Learning Theory Perceptions of ASD Popular Television Entertainment Education ASD Autism College Students Autism Quotient Shared Activities Questionnaire Prosocial Modeling Media |
| spellingShingle |
Behaviorial Sciences Communication Developmental Psychology Educational Psychology Higher Education Asperger Syndrome Sheldon Cooper The Big Bang Theory Social Learning Theory Perceptions of ASD Popular Television Entertainment Education ASD Autism College Students Autism Quotient Shared Activities Questionnaire Prosocial Modeling Media Meeks, Lisa M. COLLEGE STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS TOWARD A POPULAR MEDIA CHARACTER WITH QUALITIES OF ASPERGER SYNDROME |
| author |
Meeks, Lisa M. |
| author_facet |
Meeks, Lisa M. |
| author_sort |
Meeks, Lisa M. |
| title |
COLLEGE STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS TOWARD A POPULAR MEDIA CHARACTER WITH QUALITIES OF ASPERGER SYNDROME |
| title_short |
COLLEGE STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS TOWARD A POPULAR MEDIA CHARACTER WITH QUALITIES OF ASPERGER SYNDROME |
| title_full |
COLLEGE STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS TOWARD A POPULAR MEDIA CHARACTER WITH QUALITIES OF ASPERGER SYNDROME |
| title_fullStr |
COLLEGE STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS TOWARD A POPULAR MEDIA CHARACTER WITH QUALITIES OF ASPERGER SYNDROME |
| title_full_unstemmed |
COLLEGE STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS TOWARD A POPULAR MEDIA CHARACTER WITH QUALITIES OF ASPERGER SYNDROME |
| title_sort |
college students perceptions of and behavioral intentions toward a popular media character with qualities of asperger syndrome |
| publisher |
Cleveland State University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2014 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1398938713 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT meekslisam collegestudentsperceptionsofandbehavioralintentionstowardapopularmediacharacterwithqualitiesofaspergersyndrome |
| _version_ |
1719435815965163520 |