Lauzen and Dozier are concerned with interpersonal conflict and its resolution within prime time entertainment. They found that conflict resolution on television varied based on the character's gender. When looking at physical aggression, verbally competitive and verbally cooperative strategies, researchers found that verbally competitive strategies were used the most. Lauzen and Dozier found that gender of the characters did indeed play a role in which conflict strategies were used. Physical aggression was most commonly implemented in male to male conflict, where as verbal competition was most common in female to female conflict. Verbal cooperation was typically used in male and female conflict resolution.
These researchers are also interested in whether or not the gender of the behind the scenes employees impact these portrayals. Lauzen and Dozier found that writing and production teams that had only males in powerful positions produced more physically aggressive conflict resolutions on their programs. The researchers claim that writing and production teams that employed females in these powerful positions produced more civilized portrayals of conflict resolutions. With teams of both males and females in these powerful positions, verbally competitive strategies were presented. Researchers found that women are rarely in these high powered story telling positions and therefore prime time television depicts a gendered view of conflict. This bias results in less "civilized" conflict resolution strategies within prime time entertainment. Lauzen and Dozier suggest that prime time television does not accurately portray conflict.
Lauzen, M. M., & Dozier, D. M. (2008). Civilizing Prime Time: Gender and conflict resolution in the 2004-05 season. Mass
Communication & Society, 11(3), 300-318. doi:10.1080/15205430701668097
The light hearted clip below is an excerpt from a recent episode of New Girl. It is a prime time comedic series. Nick and Jess are attempting to put it all out on the table in their relationship so that their roommate Shmidt cannot break them apart. Their argument over the moon landing is done in a verbally competitive way. When watching prime time television, it is important to understand that representations of conflict are strictly for entertainment and are not always accurate representations of interpersonal conflict.
These researchers are also interested in whether or not the gender of the behind the scenes employees impact these portrayals. Lauzen and Dozier found that writing and production teams that had only males in powerful positions produced more physically aggressive conflict resolutions on their programs. The researchers claim that writing and production teams that employed females in these powerful positions produced more civilized portrayals of conflict resolutions. With teams of both males and females in these powerful positions, verbally competitive strategies were presented. Researchers found that women are rarely in these high powered story telling positions and therefore prime time television depicts a gendered view of conflict. This bias results in less "civilized" conflict resolution strategies within prime time entertainment. Lauzen and Dozier suggest that prime time television does not accurately portray conflict.
Lauzen, M. M., & Dozier, D. M. (2008). Civilizing Prime Time: Gender and conflict resolution in the 2004-05 season. Mass
Communication & Society, 11(3), 300-318. doi:10.1080/15205430701668097
The light hearted clip below is an excerpt from a recent episode of New Girl. It is a prime time comedic series. Nick and Jess are attempting to put it all out on the table in their relationship so that their roommate Shmidt cannot break them apart. Their argument over the moon landing is done in a verbally competitive way. When watching prime time television, it is important to understand that representations of conflict are strictly for entertainment and are not always accurate representations of interpersonal conflict.