Author ORCID Identifier

0009-0003-5791-9202

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Spring 5-4-2026

Keywords

Benevolent Sexism, Relationship Ideology, childhood media exposure, gender roles, “MRS” Degree ideology, cultivation theory

Degree Name

Integrative Neuroscience (BS)

Department

INTEGRATIVE NEUROSCIENCE

First Advisor

Sean Massey

Second Advisor

Ann Merriwether

Series

Science and Mathematics

Abstract

Research suggests that the media children watch in their childhood has implications for their socialization, including identity formation, and understanding of gender roles. This study examines the role of children’s films on traditional gender roles and relationship expectations in adulthood. In the current study, female college students were surveyed to assess how the films they watched affected their “MRS” Degree seeking ideology, benevolent sexism, and traditional gender roles. Movies were coded using a scheme, which assesses themes of sexualization, objectification, agency and gender roles. A general linear model (GLM) was used to assess the association. The researcher hypothesizes a relationship between traditionally gendered media and “MRS” Degree seeking ideology, benevolent sexism, and a measure of traditional gender roles. Findings are somewhat consistent with this hypothesis. Sexualization, when moderated by frequency of viewing, was a significant predictor of “MRS” Degree seeking ideology, and character depth, when moderated by frequency of viewing, was a significant predictor of benevolent sexism. This research supports that media consumed in childhood is related to understandings of gender roles and relationship ideology in adulthood.

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