Portrayals of Unethical and Unvirtuous Workplace Behaviors on TV: Implications for Vocational Anticipatory Socialization

Authors

  • DaJung Woo University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Kimberly Walsh McDermott IBM Watson Health

Keywords:

vocational anticipatory socialization, workplace ethics, television, adolescents, social cognitive theory, moral reasoning

Abstract

This article presents a 2-phase multimethod study exploring (a) how unethical and unvirtuous workplace behaviors are portrayed on television programs that are popular among adolescents and (b) how adolescents make sense of the portrayals and use their interpretations for their vocational anticipatory socialization (VAS)—the process of learning and developing expectations about future careers. In Phase 1, we conducted a content analysis of the top 15 most watched television series among adolescents between 2013 and 2014 (data obtained from the Nielsen Company). In Phase 2, we conducted a series of focus group interviews with 74 adolescents who were regular viewers of the 15 television programs. The findings contribute to our understanding of television as an important source of VAS and how television portrayals of workplace ethics-related content affect individuals’ career pursuits.

Author Biographies

DaJung Woo, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

DaJung ("DJ") Woo is an Assistant Professor in the School of Communication Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She received her Ph.D. in Communication from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2017. Her primary research area lies in organizational communication with interests in topics such as organizational/vocational socialization, communication of knowledge and expertise, collaboration, and identity.

Kimberly Walsh McDermott, IBM Watson Health

Kimberly Walsh McDermott is a health services researcher at IBM Watson Health. She received her Ph.D. in Communication from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. Her media effects research has focused on depictions of gender stereotypes, bullying, and illicit drug use. She also has designed and studied the effectiveness of media literacy education programs and nutrition literacy programs. Her publications include articles in the Journal of Children and Media, the Journal of Media Literacy Education, and the Journal of Popular Film and Television.

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Published

2019-06-30

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Section

Articles