Perceiving Cinematic Episodes: A Cross-Cultural Repertory Grid Study of A Narrative Film Segment.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Perceiving Cinematic Episodes: A Cross-Cultural Repertory Grid Study of A Narrative Film Segment.
Authors:	Blowers, Geoffrey H., McCoy, Mildred M.
Source:	International Journal of Psychology. Jan1986, Vol. 21 Issue 1-4, p317-332. 16p.
Abstract:	Film theory has advanced concepts for explaining how it is possible for film viewers to understand what they are seeing. Many of these concepts strongly imply that the production of meaning of a film ties within the film itself-the viewer's role being reduced to that of passive spectator. This study tests that assumption using a repertory grid analysis of constructs elicited from Australian and Hong Kong Chinese subjects as they interpreted a segment of a commercial film. The results showed that the Australian sample construed more emotionally than did the Hong Kong Chinese, who responded more at the level of the film's characterisation. The y were also more specific in their construals while the Australians were more diffuse. Further analysis suggested that differences between the two groups were the result of judgments about different attributes of the film, rather than because of different patterns of construing. It was concluded that since there are major differences in the two groups' interpretations of the same film, in the field of film/spectator studies where semiotics and psychology come together, the repertory grid analysis is a useful research tool. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
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Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	Film theory has advanced concepts for explaining how it is possible for film viewers to understand what they are seeing. Many of these concepts strongly imply that the production of meaning of a film ties within the film itself-the viewer's role being reduced to that of passive spectator. This study tests that assumption using a repertory grid analysis of constructs elicited from Australian and Hong Kong Chinese subjects as they interpreted a segment of a commercial film. The results showed that the Australian sample construed more emotionally than did the Hong Kong Chinese, who responded more at the level of the film's characterisation. The y were also more specific in their construals while the Australians were more diffuse. Further analysis suggested that differences between the two groups were the result of judgments about different attributes of the film, rather than because of different patterns of construing. It was concluded that since there are major differences in the two groups' interpretations of the same film, in the field of film/spectator studies where semiotics and psychology come together, the repertory grid analysis is a useful research tool. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
ISSN:	00207594
DOI:	10.1080/00207598608247592