Communication Studies
Presenter(s): Holly Knox, Erin Jensen, Mackenzie Maynard, Melissa Castillo
Advisor(s): Dr. Riva Tukachinsky
Our study goes about analyzing the relationship between product endorsements and the effectiveness of a Youtuber’s video with such a part of it. We have gone about hypothesizing that the “Timing of a product endorsement within a series of YouTube videos affects the strength of a parasocial relationship between the viewer and the Youtuber” and that the “Strength of the parasocial relationship between the Youtuber and the viewer will increase with time spent watching the Youtuber’s videos.” We have observed that often product endorsements make viewers feel as though they are being exploited or become irritated leading them to avoid watching content that contains endorsements. We formed our hypotheses because viewing a Youtuber for an extended amount of time begins to strengthen the relationship between the viewer and the Youtuber. Thus, ultimately causing a greater parasocial relationship as opposed to viewing the Youtuber for a shorter amount of time. The placement of the advertisements directly affect the viewers perception of the product and their willingness to support the Youtuber. The later the advertisement, the more receptive viewers will be towards the product. Whereas, the earlier the advertisement the less receptive viewers tend to be. Our study will analyze this through a survey. This survey will have people view a few short clipped videos with an endorsement placed at a specific time within each with questions following in regards to their perception of the video as a whole.
After the Match: Discovering the Attitudes and Beliefs of Why People use Online Dating Applications
Presenter(s): Ethan Vieira
Advisor(s): Dr. Jennifer Bevan
In this study, we explored individual’s online dating apps behaviors and attitudes that guide why an individual decides to match with a potential partner. Previous studies have focused on ideal characteristics (looks, personality, etc.) and their influence on matching decisions, but have not looked at intended behaviors that may lead to different relational outcomes. Our data collection occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and additionally examined how online dating behaviors have been affected due to the shelter-in-place federal mandate. The purpose of this study was to understand what happens after the match and the intentions and outcomes of an individual on online dating apps. Our study tested the following research questions and hypotheses: RQ1: Is someone with low sociosexuality more likely to end up in a committed relationship than someone with high sociosexuality? RQ2: What are the reasons an individual uses dating apps if they do not meet up with anyone in person? RQ3: What impact has COVID-19 had on online dating app behaviors? H1: Individuals with high sociosexuality are more likely to not be in committed relationships and are more willing to meet up with an individual in person. H2: The more often an individual uses online dating apps will be positively associated with (a) amount of hookups an individual has had in the past 6 months and (b) higher sociosexuality score. Thus far our data shows a mean age of 23.5 and participants use an average of 2 online dating apps at a time. We hope to finish data collection by early April with an estimated sample size of 350 participants that include a diverse sample of both Chapman students and community members.
Role of Image Framing in Perceived Justification of Police Brutality Act Against African Americans
Presenter(s): Lucile Henderson, Leora Kalili, Simone Guillory
Advisor(s): Dr. Riva Tukachinsky
Police brutality in the United States is an issue that affects many African Americans and is the result of years of institutionalized racism. This study aims to explore if the general community has internalized this culture of racism as it pertains to the perception of African Americans as violent and deserving of such mistreatment. While many studies examine the correlation between the perception of African Americans and the justification of punitive action against them, we wanted to further that research by specifically examining how image framing plays into this correlation. We believe that exposure to negative versus positive visual framing of the Black victim in news stories about police brutality will result in a more negative perception of the Black victim and the larger African American community. As well as a more favorable perception of the police officer involved and his action taken compared to the same negative versus positive visual framing of a White victim. To test this we created identical news stories about an incident of police brutality and only changed the images of the victim used (socially desirable versus undesirable images of both Black and White males) to isolate only race as the factor for altering the perception of the victim and justification of the act.