What is it about?
An experimental study that reveals Chinese audiences appreciate stories that depict forgiveness more than those about just and excessive retribution for wrongdoings. Stress reduces the disparities in appraisals of narratives that vary in retribution levels. The study shed light on the increasing popularity of Shuang Ju which is characterized by the theme of retribution among young adults in contemporary China, a country known for its punitive culture and strong media censorship.
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Why is it important?
This research confirms the relationship between retribution levels and the appraisal of retribution narratives, shedding light on the widespread appeal of Shuang Ju in China in recent years. Furthermore, it reveals that the enjoyment and appreciation of these narratives are influenced by stress levels. These findings highlight a promising research direction concerning audience psychological reactions to popular culture in contemporary non-Western countries. Moreover, it offers practical implications for entertainment businesses when creating appealing media products within highly censored systems.
Perspectives
There has been limited research focused on understanding audience responses to entertainment media in China. This is a significant gap considering that China possesses a unique media system, a rapidly growing entertainment industry, and distinct cultural characteristics. Exploring how young audiences respond to emerging media products not only enhances the literature on entertainment media but also provides valuable insights into contemporary Chinese society itself.
Jialing Huang
Shenzhen University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Loving Shuang Ju: Chinese audiences’ entertainment experience of retribution narratives., Psychology of Popular Media, May 2023, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/ppm0000475.
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