Date of Award
May 2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Committee Member
Gwynn M. Powell
Committee Member
Skye Arthur-Banning
Committee Member
Erin M. Ash
Abstract
Prior to this study, dehumanizing language, that which denies full humanness to others (Haslam, 2006), had been found to be present within collegiate and professional American Football broadcasts (Haslerig et al., 2019; Oates, 2007). In addition, high school games are also broadcasted, yet had remained unexplored. With dehumanization having links to negative effects for those exposed, and the presence of youth participants adding an extra complexity to this process, a need for assessment was presented. The objective of this research was to determine if dehumanizing language was present within high school broadcasts in hopes of creating a preliminary understanding of the ways in which this phenomenon presents itself to the audience. Utilizing content analysis methods, four high school broadcasts from the fall of 2019 were assessed for dehumanization, and all four broadcasts were found to contain dehumanizing language. Counts, frequencies, and means of dehumanization in broadcasts were produced, with trends and patterns presented. Along with this primary goal, this study aimed to uncover any differences between sources of high school football broadcasts. Games broadcasted by four categorically different production teams were used, including school/town, sport association, local media and major media. While differences between media levels were found, additional research was necessary to determine causal relationships. Results from this study provide implications for sport governing bodies, broadcasters, participants, and viewers.
Recommended Citation
Middleton, Adam P., "Monsters & Machines: An Assessment of Dehumanization in High School Football Broadcasts" (2021). All Theses. 3534.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/3534