This analysis raises the question of whether or not there is a connection between television networks and their representation of siblings on family sitcoms. Because it is a popular form of media, adults and children may use television to gather information. Parents’ desire to protect their children from violent and sexual content have led them to seek more family-friendly programming, such as those found on the Disney Channel. Domestic sitcoms on ABC, CBS, and Disney Channel were examined during the 2009-2010 television season using a quantitative content analysis methodology. The results found that positive interactions of television siblings outnumbered the negative 2 to 1. Types of sibling interactions, sources of conflict, and overall outcomes were also investigated. These results were further correlated with the network they aired on to determine if there was a relationship between the network and sibling interactions. By connecting both the fields of interpersonal communication and media studies, this study examines media representations through an interpersonal communicative approach.
Key words: Social learning theory, conflict and resolution, sibling relationship, television networks
|
