Reception of films and the formation of social identities related to nation

Abstract

This qualitative study addresses the relationship between film reception and the formation of social identity related to the nation in reference to two evocative films used for intergroup comparison purposes. Two American films were selected to facilitate the task of intergroup contrast. Five focus groups were created, and were composed of four to six persons each. Each group saw both films. Results indicate the presence of in-group favoritism after viewing both films. A common core identity related to the nation was built after viewing both films; however, differences arise in the description of social identity attributed to the narrative frame of each film. Results contribute to the study of social categorization processes associated with film reception.