Replication Data for: "Wait, there's torture in Zootopia? Examining the prevalence of torture in popular movies"

Roughly half of the U.S. public thinks that torture can be acceptable in counterterrorism. According to recent research, dramatic depictions of torture increase public support for the practice. Yet, we do not know how frequently—and in what context—torture is depicted across popular media. What messages about the acceptability and effectiveness of torture do Americans receive when they watch popular films? To address this question, we coded each incident of torture in the top 20 grossing films each year from 2008 to 2017 to analyze how torture is portrayed in terms of its frequency, efficacy, and social acceptability. Results show that the majority of popular films—including films aimed toward children—have at least one torture scene. Across films, the messages sent about torture are fairly consistent. As expected, movies tend to depict torture as effective. Further, how movies portray torture is also a function of who is perpetrating it. Specifically, protagonists are more likely to torture for instrumental reasons or in response to threats, and are more likely to do so effectively. In contrast, antagonists are more likely to use torture as punishment and to torture women. The frequency and nature of torture’s depiction in popular films may help explain why many in the public support torture in counterterrorism.约有半数美国民众认为，在反恐行动中使用酷刑是可以接受的。已有近期研究表明，对酷刑的戏剧化刻画会提升公众对该行为的支持度。但目前我们尚不明确，酷刑在大众媒体中的刻画频率与具体场景分布情况。那么美国民众在观看主流商业电影时，会接收到哪些关于酷刑的可接受性与有效性的相关信息？为解答这一问题，本研究对2008年至2017年间每年票房排名前20的电影中的所有酷刑场景进行编码标注，以分析酷刑在影片中的刻画方式，包括其出现频率、有效性与社会接受度。研究结果显示，绝大多数主流商业电影（包括面向儿童的影片）中至少包含一处酷刑场景。在不同影片中，关于酷刑传递的信息相当一致。正如预期，电影往往将酷刑刻画为具有效果的行为。此外，电影对酷刑的刻画方式还取决于实施酷刑的主体身份。具体而言，正面主角更可能出于工具性目的或为应对威胁而实施酷刑，且其酷刑行为往往更具效果。与之相对，反面反派则更倾向于将酷刑作为惩罚手段，且更常对女性实施酷刑。主流商业电影中酷刑刻画的频率与性质，或可解释为何诸多民众支持在反恐行动中使用酷刑。