The Role of Morality and Physical Attractiveness of Athletes on Disposition Formations

• Other Authors: Tuzunkan, Firat, 1977- (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Communication
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-1448

In understanding why people enjoy media content, disposition-based theories of media enjoyment have shown to be practical and helpful guides for researchers (Raney, 2004). In broader terms, this theoretical framework posits that enjoyment of media content is a function of viewers' affective dispositions toward media characters, and whatever happens to those characters. However, one of the bigger gaps in the theory concerns the formation of dispositions. That is, how we come to like certain characters and why we form dispositions toward them is still a question. Therefore, more factors need to be identified that may induce formation of dispositions. The purpose of this study was to extend the disposition theory by identifying new factors that may induce formation of dispositions in the context of sports spectatorship. In two separate experiments, the study particularly examined the role of morality and physical attractiveness of athletes in formation of dispositions. Study 1 has applied Raney and Bryant's (2002) Integrated Model of Enjoyment for Crime Drama in the context of sports, and findings suggested that when athletes are concerned, the moral judgment of athletes is a factor in formation of dispositions as well. Utilizing the interpersonal attraction theory, Study 2 tested whether physically attractive athletes have an effect on disposition formations for the spectators. Physical attractiveness was not found to be significant predictor of formation of dispositions. Because of the varied results in the first two studies, the researcher conducted a third study to investigate whether morality and physical attractiveness together stimulate formation of dispositions. The results revealed that morality has an additive effect on physical attractiveness regarding the formation of dispositions. Findings of this dissertation have implications for disposition theory, team identification literature and interpersonal attraction theory. A discussion of these implications is provided, and suggestions for future research are provided. === A Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Communication in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Fall Semester, 2007. === July 20, 2007. === Disposition Formation, Physical Attractiveness, Morality, Media Effects, Disposition Theory, Entertainment Theory === Includes bibliographical references. === Arthur A. Raney, Professor Directing Dissertation; Charles Hofacker, Outside Committee Member; Gary Heald, Committee Member; Laura Arpan, Committee Member.