Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2019

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Anne Cubilie

Abstract

When people do not have personal experience to draw on, the experiences of characters in film can serve in the mind as a substitute. This research sought to determine what kind of impression films depicting genetics research leave on the audience. These genres were romance (Code 46, 2004), horror (Splice, 2009), thriller (Children of Men, 2006), and drama (Gattaca, 1997). Scenes from the films were analyzed to determine their likely effect on the audience perception of genetics. The researcher hypothesized that the drama and romance films would portray genetics research as neutral, but the science would be less accurate, and that the horror and thriller films would portray genetics research negatively but contain more accurate science. The overall effect of the two factors on audience perception of genetics research was discussed, and a conclusion about overall depiction across the four films was then drawn.

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