Abstract
In recent years, animated situation comedies (generally known as animated sitcoms) have gained widespread popularity among young adults. Animated sitcoms often dissect sensitive social and political concerns using negative humor, exaggeration, and stereotyping. The present study aimed to explore the motives for viewing animated sitcoms using qualitative and quantitative research methods and investigate their associations with humor styles, positivity, and self-criticism in a sample of Hungarian viewers. A total of 816 Hungarian adults (54.5% female; Mage = 23.9 years, SD = 5.6) completed an online questionnaire focusing on animated sitcom viewing habits and other relevant psychological constructs. As a result, three major motive dimensions were identified: (1) social criticism, (2) fun and entertainment, and (3) relaxation. These motives were assessed by the Motives for Animated Sitcom Viewing Questionnaire (MASVQ), which demonstrated strong psychometric properties. Using a MIMIC model, multiple associations were described across motives and other psychological constructs, indicating that individuals with different levels of humor, positivity, and self-criticism are motivated to view animated sitcoms for different reasons in this sample of Hungarian viewers.
Highlights
IntroductionEver since the massive success of The Flintstones (produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc.) in the early 1960s, prime time animated situation comedies (generally known as animated sitcoms) have gained widespread popularity among American television viewers [1]
Animated sitcomsEver since the massive success of The Flintstones in the early 1960s, prime time animated situation comedies have gained widespread popularity among American television viewers [1]
The aim of this study is to contribute to the growing body of literature on motives relating to various aspects of popular culture, and identify beneficial and adverse motives in terms of psychological well-being by investigating the association of animated sitcom viewing motives with relevant psychological constructs such as humor styles, positivity, and self-criticism
Summary
Ever since the massive success of The Flintstones (produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc.) in the early 1960s, prime time animated situation comedies (generally known as animated sitcoms) have gained widespread popularity among American television viewers [1]. The Flintstones was the first animated series in the history of American television that was not targeted solely at children [2]. Due to the unexpected success of this genre, several animated sitcoms have been produced since the late 1980s such as The Simpsons (created by Matt Groening in 1989), South Park (created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone in 1997), and Family Guy(created.
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