We examine three basic tropes—villain, victim, and hero—that emerge in images, claims, and narratives. We compare recent research on characters with the predictions of an established tradition, affect control theory (ACT). Combined, the theories describe core traits of the villain-victim-hero triad and predict audiences’ reactions. Character theory (CT) can help us understand the cultural roots of evaluation, potency, and activity profiles and the robustness of profile ratings. It also provides nuanced information regarding multiplicity in, and subtypes of, characters and how characters work together to define roles. Character types can be strategically deployed in political realms, potentially guiding strategies, goals, and group dynamics. ACT predictions hold up well, but CT suggests several paths for extension and elaboration. In many cases, cultural research and social psychology work on parallel tracks, with little cross-talk. They have much to learn from each other.

中文翻译：

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角色理论和情感控制理论中的反派，受害者和英雄

我们研究了在图像，主张和叙述中出现的三种基本对立（反派，受害者和英雄）。我们将有关字符的最新研究与已建立的传统的预测进行比较，影响控制理论（ACT）。这些理论结合起来描述了小人-受害者-英雄三合会的核心特征，并预测了观众的反应。品格理论（CT）可以帮助我们了解评估，效能和活动状况的文化根源以及状况等级的稳健性。它还提供有关字符的多样性和子类型以及字符如何共同定义角色的细致信息。角色类型可以策略性地部署在政治领域中，潜在地指导策略，目标和群体动态。ACT的预测成立得很好，但是CT提出了一些扩展和完善的途径。在很多情况下 文化研究和社会心理学在平行的轨道上工作，几乎没有相互干扰。他们彼此之间有很多东西可以学习。