This dissertation has been 61—5070 microfilmed exactly as received BELL, Richard Henry, 1921- A STUDY OF THE IMAGE OF THE AMERICAN CHARACTER AS PRESENTED IN SELECTED NETWORK TELEVISION DRAMAS. The Ohio State University, Ph.D., 1961 Education, general University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan A STUD! 0* THE IMAGE OF THE AMERICAN CHARACTER AS PRESENTED IN SELECTED NETWORK TELEVISION DRAMAS DISSERTATION Presented in Partial fulfillm ent of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University Richard Henry Bell, A.B., A.M. The Ohio State University 1961 Approved by Department of Education ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In planning the approach to this study, invaluable suggestions were received from Ik*. E. G. Barnett, Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon; Geoffrey Gorer, author and anthropologist, Sussex, England; Dr. Margaret Mead, Associate Curator of Ethnology, the American Museum of Natural History; and David Riesman, Department of Social Relations, Harvard University* Hie author is indebted to three colleagues on the Arizona State University faculty for their willingness to undertake the thankless task of vising selected television dramas. Giving of their time and professional insight to check the validity of the instrument for this study were Ik*. Lester S. Perril, Professor of Sociology; Dr. Carolyn K. Staats, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Psychology; and Ik*. John P. Vergis, Professor of Education and Head of the Department of AndLo-7i8ual Instruction. For his invaluable advice on things statistical, the author thanks Dr. Robert L. Baker, Associate Professor of Education at Arizona State University. Without the help of these individuals and the generous contribution of typing time by Mrs. Jean Cole and Mrs. Sarah Burke, this dissertation could not have been written. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................................................................... 11 LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................... Y INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 C hapter I . THE STUDY .............................................................................................. U Purpose of the Study Importance of the Study Assumptions Limitations of the Study Definition of Terms H . RELATED LITERATURE......................................................................................18 National Character The American Character American Character through Mass Media III. PROCEDURES.............................................................................................. 3k Approach to the Stucfcr P re lim in ary Stucfor Categories Used by Other Authors Revised Evaluation Fora First Test of Validity Second Test of Validity Viewing Quids Reliability Summary i i i FINDINGS 60 External Data on the Prograns O pposition Themes and Problems Description of Leading Characters Motivation of Characters Relationships Attitudes toward Values Black and White Characters Less Valid Findings V. INTERPRETATION......................................................................................... 101 Social Milieu The Family C o n flic ts Motivations Other Attitudes Rewards and Punishments Summary IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................. 135 Implications for Television Writers Implications for Educators Implications for Educational Broadcasters Implications for the American People Recommendations for Further Research APPENDIX Ha HCmiOORAFHY 180 AUTOBIOGRAPHY 182 iv LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Viewing Time Devoted to Dramain Average TV Home .... H 2. Comparison of Behavioral Areas ......................................1;0 3. Degrees of Variation............................................................................... U3 U. Frequency of Variation by O bservers.............................................Ill; 5. Degree of Variation by Q uestions....................................................US 6. Degree of Variance......................................................................................$0 7* Frequency Variation by Q uestion....................................... Si 8. Programs by N etw ork................................................................................. 60 9. Programs by Length ...................................................................6 l 10. Programs by types ......................................................................6 l 11. Programs by Settings ............................................................................. 62 12. Contemporary S ettin g........................................................................... s 62 13. Type of Adversary.............................................................................. 63 Hi. Sex Opposition................................................................................... 61; 1$. Relationship Opposition.......................................................................65 1 6 . G e n era lised T h em es....................................................................................67 17. Solution of Problem by Character ................................ 68 18. Solution of Problem by Method......................................... 69 19. Protagonist-Adversary Sympathy S w itch.......................................70 v Table Page 20. Protagonist — Adversary by Age................................................. 70 21. Protagonist — Adversary by Marital S ta tu s...................... 71 22. Protagonist — Adversary by N ationality............................. 72 23. Protagonist — Adversary by Sympathy and Race .... 73 2b. Protagonist — Adversary by Occupations............................... 75 25. Protagonist — Adversary by M otivation............................... 76 26. Money M otivation .......................................................................... 77 27. Desire for Group Acceptance ....................................................... 77 28. Protagonist-Under dog A Ligm ent ................................................ 76 29. Parent-Child Relations................................................................... 79 30. Family R ejection............................................................................... 80 31. Parental Ambition ............................................................................. 81 32. Rusband-Vdfe Dominance ................................................................. 6 l 33. Sibling Relationship ................................................................. 82 3b. Basis for Protagonist’s Friendships ................................... 83 35* Portrayal of Foreign N ationalities....................................... 8b 36 . Solutions of Crimes .................................................... 85 37. Punishment of C rim e ........................................................................ 86 38. Image of the L aw .................................. 86 39. Crime by Type and Punishment by Agent ................................ 87 i;0. Valued Siough to Risk L ife ........................................................... 88 hi. Reaction toward D eath.................................................................... 89 h2. Attitudes toward Success ........................................................... 90 v i Table Page 1*3. Source of Success ..................................................................................91 hk. Attitudes toward Success ................................................................ 91 h$. Positive Attitudes toward F a ilu re ..................................................... 92 1*6. Causes of F a ilu re ...................................................................................... 93 1*7 * Romantic Love by T y p e ............................................................................. 9U ii8« Reasons for Qrinking ............................................................................. 95> 1*9* Rewards and Punishment ............................................................................. 96 50. Relativity of Rewards and Punishment .................................................97 51. Social Class of Protagonist — Adversary....................................... 97 52. Sympathy toward C lasse s......................................................................... 98 53. Upward M o b ility ...................................................................................... 99 51*. Dominance of Women.................................................................................... 99 v i i INTRODUCTION The study of the American character has long been a favorite subject for writers of other countries. From de Tocqueville and Dickens to Gorer and Bruckberger, European w riters have speculated on the question, "What Is an American?" Self-analysis being more painful than evaluation of others, it is understandable that Americans have been less interested in this question. Unaware of, or unwilling to admit the existence of, an "American character," Americans rarely have taken the time or the trouble to vL<3* themselves objectively. World War II, however, with its problems of morale and national cooperation, brought government officials to the realization that a better picture of the American people was needed. Within the diverse culture that is America, What