The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School College of Arts and Architecture A NARRATIVE INQUIRY INTO THE EXPERIENCES OF THREE WOMEN IN THE 3D ANIMATION INDUSTRY: USING SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY TO UNDERSTAND SOCIO-CULTURAL INFLUENCES ON CONCEPTS OF SUCCESS AND MOTIVATION A Dissertation in Art Education by Wei-Chung Chang 2011 Wei-Chung Chang Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy August 2011 The dissertation of Wei-Chung Chang was reviewed and approved* by the following: Karen T. Keifer-Boyd Professor of Art Education & Women’s Studies In Charge of the Graduate Program in Art Education Dissertation Advisor Chair of Committee Patricia M. Amburgy Associate Professor of Art Education Wanda B. Knight Associate Professor of Art Education & Women’s Studies Jeanne L. Hall Associate Professor of Communication *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School iii ABSTRACT Concerned with the underrepresentation of women in the field of animation, I used a narrative inquiry approach in this qualitative study of three women to understand what motivated and/or influenced their pursuit of careers in the animation industry. Through the interpretative lens of Self-determination Theory (SDT), I analyzed in-depth multiple interviews conducted over a five-year period with three women in the midst of successful careers in the animation industry. They discussed their educational experiences and careers in the animation industry. Throughout the journey of this narrative inquiry, my own deep-seated beliefs and values were challenged regarding conditions in the animation industry for women. The narratives from these three women about what motivated them to pursue and achieve successful careers in the animation industry included influences from early role models. All had attended schools that had flexible/experimental programs, which built their capacity for autonomy and competence. However, each had unique reasons for being drawn to animation careers, and how they learned animation. All three felt they had support from their spouse or their peers. They also perceived that they were trusted and needed within their profession. It is my hope that this study will encourage further research by disabilities studies scholars, critical race theorists, and other researchers to provide different perspectives from their examinations of the socio-cultural contexts in the animation industry that have led to underrepresentation of women, people of color, and people experiencing disabilities. Art educators also need to develop interdisciplinary animation curricula that iv facilitate autonomy, competence, and relatedness to not only generate individual motivation but also to model a supportive learning environment for transfer into the animation industry’s work environments. The most significant implication is the need to improve working conditions and environments in the animation industry in order to support those who work there and enable them to have families and take medical leaves without jeopardizing their careers. As a male Taiwanese professor of animation with approximately one year of experience in the animation industry in the United States working at Pixar, conducting this research changed my own awareness of discriminatory practices toward women in the animation. These perspectives and related discussions conclude the study. v TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES .....................................................................................................viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...........................................................................................ix PROLOGUE ................................................................................................................1 Why Did I Do This Research?..............................................................................1 An Awareness of Personal Narrative....................................................................2 This Is Where the Reflective Story Began ...........................................................4 Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................5 Statement of the Problem......................................................................................5 Why So Few Women Animators?.................................................................5 Purpose of the Study.............................................................................................6 Research Questions...............................................................................................7 Limitations of the Study .......................................................................................7 Sample Size ...................................................................................................8 Socio-cultural Barrier and Opportunities ......................................................9 Other Limitations...........................................................................................10 Significance of the Study......................................................................................11 Overview of Chapters...........................................................................................12 Chapter 2 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE: WOMEN IN ANIMATION AND COMPUTING CAREERS, NARRATIVE INQUIRY, AND SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY .................................................................13 Women in Animation ...........................................................................................14 Gender Imbalance..........................................................................................17 Gender Bias ...................................................................................................18 Social Expectations .......................................................................................19 Women’s Unique Value and Contributions ..................................................19 Women in Computing...........................................................................................22 Early Influences.............................................................................................22 Working and Learning Environment.............................................................24 Attitude and Behavior....................................................................................26 Computer Gaming Experiences.....................................................................28 Self-confidence..............................................................................................29 Role Models and Mentorship ........................................................................30 Socio-cultural Influence ................................................................................31 Narrative Inquiry ..................................................................................................34 Overview of Narrative Inquiry ......................................................................35 vi Self-determination Theory....................................................................................38 Autonomy......................................................................................................39 Competence ...................................................................................................40 Relatedness....................................................................................................40 Motivation .....................................................................................................43 Chapter 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.............................................................49 Research Questions and Interview Prompts .........................................................49 Selection of Research Participants........................................................................51 Researcher’s Role in the Study.............................................................................53 Data Collection .....................................................................................................54 Semi-structured Interviews............................................................................54 Data Collection for Triangulation of Data Analysis.............................................55 Data Analysis.................................................................................................56 Narrative Inquiry Research Methodology ............................................................58 Theoretical Framework.........................................................................................61 Self-determination Theory.............................................................................62 Chapter 4 RESEARCH FINDINGS .........................................................................65 Interview with EnergyK .......................................................................................65 I Was Kind of Boyish....................................................................................67 I Didn’t Have a Home of My Own So I Built My Own Existence ...............69 The Best Thing Was Finding My Role Model at School ..............................70 My Entire Career Has Nothing to Do with Sex Appeal ................................72 What’s the Right Way to Be a Woman? .......................................................75 My Career Path to the Animation Industry ...................................................77