Date of Graduation

8-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Communication (MA)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Communication

Advisor/Mentor

Warren, Ron

Committee Member

Walker, Kasey L.

Second Committee Member

Schulte, Stephanie R.

Keywords

Agency; Gender; Humor; Television

Abstract

This study used content analysis to analyze gender representations in post-recession workplace sitcoms using a typology developed using Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. 100 episodes of programming were analyzed by five graduate researchers for a total of 2579 cases. Though men dominated the sample, results were dissimilar from previous findings within some of the literature on televised representations of gender. Findings indicated that need type for most commonly expressed needs were split fairly evenly by gender, but that less expressed needs were more polarized with regard to gender representation. Women also met their own needs more than men did, and had others meet their needs more than men, though men more often had their needs met by happenstance.

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