Empathy and Affective Orientation as Predictors of Identification with Television Characters

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between television viewers’ empathy and affective orientation and their identification with their favorite television characters. Results showed that viewers’ perspective taking and affective orientation positively predicted cognitive-emotional identification and group identification, and affective orientation positively predicted similarity identification. Similarity in viewer and favorite character sex and the genre in which the favorite character appeared also predicted identification.

Keywords:

• Identification
• Empathy
• Affective Orientation
• Television
• Characters

Notes

Rebecca M. Chory-Assad (PhD, Michigan State University, 2000) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University. Vincent Cicchirillo (MA, West Virginia University, 2004) received his Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.

This manuscript was presented to the Mass Communication Division of the National Communication Association at its annual meeting in Chicago in November, 2004.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vincent Cicchirillo

Rebecca M. Chory-Assad (PhD, Michigan State University, 2000) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University. Vincent Cicchirillo (MA, West Virginia University, 2004) received his Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University. This manuscript was presented to the Mass Communication Division of the National Communication Association at its annual meeting in Chicago in November, 2004.