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A qualitative inquiry into how romantic love has been portrayed by contemporary media and researchers

Griffin, Stephanie A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1149001149

Abstract Details

2006, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Human Development and Family Science.
BACKGROUND Romantic love is a hallmark of human beings. Traditionally, love research has focused on terminology, childhood antecedents, or love style subcomponents; however, there has been little research exploring where attitudes about romantic love develop. This study explored contemporary entertainment media for love imagery. The media patterns were then compared with the research view of love to identify possible sociocultural patterns of romantic love. METHODS Award-winning films, music, and television series with romantic plots from four time periods were selected and evaluated qualitatively. Using a constant comparison method, romantic themes were identified. Each romantic relationship was further evaluated using the criteria of the Love Attitudes Scale and the Triangular Love Scale. Media from each era were holistically evaluated before moving to the next time period. This allowed for a deeper immersion into each era’s historical context. RESULTS Two sets of media archetypes and metaphors were identified. Archetypes were either images of romantic love change agents (Cupid, Knight in Shining Armor, Venus) or a relationship story line (Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty). The metaphors that were identified were paired opposites and included phrases about finding love (“love at first sight” – “there all the time”; “likes attract” – “opposites attract”; “hunting for anyone to love” – “hunting for a lost love”) and phrases about dealing with love (“love conquers all” – “endings”; “happily ever after” – “doomed love”). Archetype change agents and metaphors build the archetype relationship story lines. DISCUSSION The media relationships resolved into a love relationship progression pattern of Seeker, Fairy Tale, and Mature. Seekers were looking for “true love” or enjoying the sexual infatuation of early relationships. Fairy Tale couples have found each other, overcome difficulties and were committed to their love. Mature couples were long-term companions, comfortable in their relationship. Based on both the media and research imagery, there are two cultural ideals, Romantic and Companionate, each of which seems to follow a 20-year cycle. The Romantic ideal is that relationships are based on emotional and/or physical responses to the other. The Companionate ideal is that love is built on long-term friendship and empathic closeness.
Jerelyn Schultz (Advisor)
200 p.
love; romantic love; Love Attitudes Scale; Triangle Love Scale; Sternberg; Hendricks; film; popular music; motion pictures; contemporary media; entertainment media; television; television series; sitcom; fairy tale; mythology; Shakespeare; qualitative

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Griffin, S. A. (2006). A qualitative inquiry into how romantic love has been portrayed by contemporary media and researchers [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1149001149

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Griffin, Stephanie. A qualitative inquiry into how romantic love has been portrayed by contemporary media and researchers. 2006. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1149001149.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Griffin, Stephanie. "A qualitative inquiry into how romantic love has been portrayed by contemporary media and researchers." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1149001149

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1149001149
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© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.