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Depiction of psychopathy in Swedish mass media - A qualitative content analysis regarding the Swedish mass media outlet Aftonbladet’s depiction of people with psychopathy

Astner, Klara LU (2021) SOCK08 20211
Sociology
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore how Swedish mass media depicts people with psychopathy through the use of the following questions: How are people with psychopathy depicted in the media outlet Aftonbladet? What perception of people with psychopathy does this imply? This was done using an inductive approach accompanied by qualitative content analysis. Purposive criterion sampling and inductive coding following Mayring’s (2000) step model of inductive category development, were also used. The result was the formulation of three overarching themes: Information, dehumanization and message. Information referred to information presented by Aftonbladet regarding psychopathy and people with psychopathy. Dehumanization referred to... (More)
The purpose of this study was to explore how Swedish mass media depicts people with psychopathy through the use of the following questions: How are people with psychopathy depicted in the media outlet Aftonbladet? What perception of people with psychopathy does this imply? This was done using an inductive approach accompanied by qualitative content analysis. Purposive criterion sampling and inductive coding following Mayring’s (2000) step model of inductive category development, were also used. The result was the formulation of three overarching themes: Information, dehumanization and message. Information referred to information presented by Aftonbladet regarding psychopathy and people with psychopathy. Dehumanization referred to dehumanizing comparisons and statements about people with psychopathy. Finally, message regarded statements addressing the reader directly, as to inform how one should regard and behave towards people with psychopathy. Overall the depiction of psychopathy in the studied articles proved to be thoroughly negative, depicting people with psychopathy in a demoralizing and dehumanizing manner. Goffman’s theory of stigma was then chosen based upon the results and applied in order to further analyze the perception of people with psychopathy as implied in the studied material. This was used to further emphasize the stigmatization observed within the studied articles. (Less)
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author
Astner, Klara LU
supervisor
organization
course
SOCK08 20211
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Aftonbladet, psychopathy, mass media, qualitative content analysis, Goffman’s theory of stigma, inductive approach.
language
English
id
9062462
date added to LUP
2021-08-09 10:41:29
date last changed
2021-08-09 10:41:29
@misc{9062462,
  abstract     = {{The purpose of this study was to explore how Swedish mass media depicts people with psychopathy through the use of the following questions: How are people with psychopathy depicted in the media outlet Aftonbladet? What perception of people with psychopathy does this imply? This was done using an inductive approach accompanied by qualitative content analysis. Purposive criterion sampling and inductive coding following Mayring’s (2000) step model of inductive category development, were also used. The result was the formulation of three overarching themes: Information, dehumanization and message. Information referred to information presented by Aftonbladet regarding psychopathy and people with psychopathy. Dehumanization referred to dehumanizing comparisons and statements about people with psychopathy. Finally, message regarded statements addressing the reader directly, as to inform how one should regard and behave towards people with psychopathy. Overall the depiction of psychopathy in the studied articles proved to be thoroughly negative, depicting people with psychopathy in a demoralizing and dehumanizing manner. Goffman’s theory of stigma was then chosen based upon the results and applied in order to further analyze the perception of people with psychopathy as implied in the studied material. This was used to further emphasize the stigmatization observed within the studied articles.}},
  author       = {{Astner, Klara}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Depiction of psychopathy in Swedish mass media - A qualitative content analysis regarding the Swedish mass media outlet Aftonbladet’s depiction of people with psychopathy}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}