Abstract
ABSTRACTMedia depictions play an important role in the cultivation and perpetuation of social stigmas surrounding mental illness. Through a critical textual analysis of female perpetrators of violence in three examples drawn from diverse media forms, we explore how depictions from very different genres help to map key themes in a broader popular discourse framing violence committed by women as a consequence of mental illness. The mental health frames we focus on include examples of exceptionalism in news media, victimhood in film, and relational trauma in soap operas. Findings suggest that, unlike media depictions of psychopathic male perpetrators of violence, representations of female perpetrators tend to feature nuanced and sympathetic portrayals. However, media texts that explore social factors contributing to women's acts of violence imply that women who commit violence do so because of psychosis induced by traumatic circumstances often beyond their control. Such depictions perpetuate a gendered understanding of psychopathy and reify the notion that mental illness is an underlying cause of societal violence.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
