Towards a sociology of cartoons : a framework for sociological investigation with special reference to Playboy sex cartoons

Dines-Levy, G

Abstract

This thesis attempts to develop a framework for the
sociological investigation of cartoons by drawing on theories and
concepts developed within related areas of sociology. A literature
review of past research into cartoons demonstrates that to date
there exists little in the way of a sociology of cartoons; most of
the previous research has been carried out by psychologists or
historians. Sociological studies of cartoons have been partial,
atheoretical, and generally not illuminating. This derives ultimately
from failure to ground the analysis of cartoons in mainstream
sociological debates. Thus the two sub-fields of the sociology of
media and the sociology of art are investigated in order to extract
those theories and concepts which are most relevant to a
sociological understanding of cartoons. The theoretical framework
developed is then applied to an empirical investigation of Playboy
sex cartoons. Using standard content analysis procedure, the
Playboy cartoons are analyzed in terms of the ways in which
women and men and the relationships between them are portrayed.
The findings of the content analysis are discussed in light of
recent feminist theories regarding the nature and effects of
pornographic imagery. The problems encountered in conducting a
quantitative analysis of cartoons are highlighted and approaches
which are more qualitative in nature are investigated and applied
to the study of cartoons in general and Playboy sex cartoon in
particular. In addition to examining the encoding side of the
communication chain, this thesis investigates empirically the ways
in which differently situated audiences decode Playboy sex
cartoons.

Citation

Dines-Levy, G. Towards a sociology of cartoons : a framework for sociological investigation with special reference to Playboy sex cartoons. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Sep 22, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 22, 2011
• Award Date: Jan 1, 1990