ABSTRACT

Witnessing characters enact and receive punishment for transgressions – that is, narrative retribution – is central to affective disposition theory. Despite its centrality, a standardized set of retribution narratives is absent from the literature. The current study seeks to provide validation evidence for a set of retribution narratives used in a previous study. Based on theoretical conceptualizations of narrative retribution, we examined the validity of 15 narratives that include three different endings which vary the level of retribution in terms of under-retribution (i.e., forgiveness), equitable-retribution (i.e., tit-for-tat punishment), and over-retribution (i.e., punishment that exceeds the original transgression). Consistent with hypotheses, we show that the three endings fit (a) a positive linear trend with regard to the perceived severity of the retribution, (b) an inverted-U trend with regard to ending preference, (c) a positive linear trend with regard to anticipated enjoyment, and (d) a decreasing quadratic trend with regard to anticipated appreciation. We also link findings to trait variables identified by previous research, namely biological sex, punitiveness, vigilantism, media moral disengagement, and empathy. Findings suggest that three trait variables – vigilantism, empathy, and sex – are the most useful as potential moderators and should be considered first for inclusion in future studies. Findings also specify theoretical relationships of these variables to narrative retribution processes. Based on the evidence provided here and in earlier research, the 15 narratives with their alternative endings seem to be the best candidate for a standardized stimulus set for exploring the impact of narrative retribution on media psychology-relevant processes.

摘要

见证角色会因犯罪行为而受到惩罚（即叙事报应），这对情感处置理论至关重要。尽管很重要，但文献中却没有一套标准化的报应性叙述。本研究旨在为先前研究中使用的一系列报应性陈述提供验证证据。基于叙事报应的理论概念，我们研究了15种叙事的有效性，其中包括三种不同的结局，它们根据报酬不足（即宽恕），公平报酬（即针锋相对的惩罚）改变了报酬的水平。 ）和过度报酬（即超出原始违法行为的惩罚）。与假设一致，我们显示这三个结局符合（a）关于感知的报应严重程度的正线性趋势，（b）关于结局偏好的倒U趋势，（c）关于预期享受的正线性趋势，以及（d）与预期升值有关的二次方趋势呈下降趋势。我们还将发现与先前研究确定的特征变量联系起来，即生物学性别，惩罚性，警惕性，媒体道德脱离和同情心。研究结果表明，三个特质变量–警惕，同情和性别–作为潜在的调节者最为有用，应首先考虑将其纳入以后的研究中。研究结果还具体说明了这些变量与叙事报应过程的理论关系。根据此处和早期研究提供的证据，