La criminalidad femenina en las series televisivasuna perspectiva psicosocial

Abstract

Television is a powerful socialization agent that can contribute to generate, maintain or break gender stereotypes. In particular, in this study the image that TV series offer upon female criminality is explored, since this matter has been practically invisible, traditionally associating violence with male gender. To do so, a psychosocial focus based on audiovisual theories, Social Psychology, Media Psychology and Feminist Film theories and theories about female criminality and affiliated psychopathy, was applied. The sample consisted of 251 of female killers on 44 American and British TV series, broadcasted in Spain, from 2000 to 2015. The data collection was conducted by a quantitative content analysis coding frame ad hoc in order to categorize female profile killers and describe their modus operandi. Female killers were revealed to be precise, meticulous and able to commit atrocious murders in cold blood by their own free will, equally killing family members or unknown individuals, in the opposite direction of their emotional figure depicted traditionally by media. Notwithstanding, certain stereotypes related to their image and socio-demographic situation, are still maintained. Precisely, women, who experience personality disorders, are standing out. Similarly, in this investigation, a new profile of women serial killers, spree killers, and another one scarcely related to female characters, professional criminals, were found. Following the review of the results, a good practices decalogue is proposed for the purpose of creating female criminality profiles that promote a socially responsible approach on media contents, freed from stereotypes and aimed at equality.