Cetacean Frustration: The Representation of Whales and Dolphins in Picture Books for Young Children

Beaumont, Ellen S.; Mudd, Phillipa; Turner, Ian J.; Barnes, Kate M.

doi:10.1007/s10643-016-0819-5

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Since over half of the films included in this study were rated G or PG, one would hope that accuracy would be regularly employed for children, who often learn science concepts from entertainment [ 43 ]. However, accuracy indicators were only significant in four of the six predictive models, and the negative relationships with animation indicate that this format may experience some of the careless inaccuracies seen in children’s book illustrations [ 13 ]. While the lemurs in Madagascar (2005) have general appearances of different lemur species, inaccuracies are easy to acknowledge in other areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This duality of animated animals can strike connections with viewers, adding empathy for and interest in the presented species [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. However, there is some concern for the emphasis on their aesthetics over accuracy that has been a topic most often discussed in the illustrations of animals in children’s books [ 12 , 13 ], but warrants further discourse in film [ 14 ]. Though animation may also appear to be a better medium to depict exotic animals, over having live-action ‘actor’ animals, the conclusion that animal welfare is never directly impacted in the making of the film would be wrong.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Use of Live Action, Animation, and Computer-Generated Imagery in the Depiction of Non-Human Primates in Film

Martínez

Campera

Nekaris

2022

Animals

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For over 100 years, non-human primates (primates) have been a part of the now hundred-billion-dollar global film industry in a variety of capacities. Their use in the film industry is of concern due to the negative welfare effects on individuals, the potential for increased pet trade, and the conservation impacts of public perception. While the effects on human perception of using live primates in film have been studied, little research has been performed on their appearance in animation and none in computer-generated imagery (CGI). We aimed to investigate how the portrayal of primates varied between depiction medium types and how this related to the films’ performance with critics and in the box office. We observed 151 primates in 101 different English-speaking films that debuted between 2000 and 2019. For each appearance we recorded aspects of primate portrayals based on accuracy, anthropomorphism, environment, and agency displayed, along with the depiction medium. We used structural equation models to depict the highest likelihood of the portrayal aspects on the medium’s relationship to the films gross profit worldwide and film critic consensus scores. We found that over the 20-year time frame, use of live primates has decreased, CGI has increased, and animations have remained relatively steady. While animation had no significant relationship to gross profit or critic consensus, both were significantly lower for films that used live primates and were significantly higher for films that used CGI primates. Due to the steady increase in the use of the CGI medium and its positive relationship with gross profit and critic consensus, it could have great effects on people’s perceptions of primates and implications for conservation efforts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of Live Action, Animation, and Computer-Generated Imagery in the Depiction of Non-Human Primates in Film

Martínez

Campera

Nekaris

2022

Animals

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“…Such programs are deemed especially beneficial when children can learn about native organisms, especially those with which they are likely to have contact (Kollmuss & Agyeman ; Beaumont et al. ). We believe achievement of these outcomes is further supported by the resulting domain coherence of respondents in our study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel application of cultural consensus models to evaluate conservation education programs

Nekaris

McCabe

Spaan

et al. 2017

Conservation Biology

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Article impact statement: Cultural consensus theory helps in evaluation of conservation education initiatives. AbstractThis article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. 2Conservation professionals recognize the need to evaluate education initiatives with a flexible approach that is culturally appropriate. Cultural-consensus theory (CCT) provides a framework for measuring the extent to which beliefs are communally held and has long been applied by social scientists. In a conservation-education context, we applied CCT and used free lists (i.e., a list of items on a topic stated in order of cultural importance) and domain analysis (analysis of how free lists go together within a cultural group) to evaluate a conservation education program in which we used a children's picture book to increase knowledge about and empathy for a critically endangered mammal, the Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus). We extracted free lists of keywords generated by students (n=580 in 18 schools) from essays they wrote before and after the education program. In 2 classroom sessions conducted approximately 18 weeks apart, we asked students to write an essay about their knowledge of the target species and then presented a book and several activities about slow loris ecology. Prior to the second session, we asked students to write a second essay. We generated free lists from both essays, quantified salience of terms used, and conducted minimal residuals factor analysis to determine presence of cultural domains surrounding slow lorises in each session. Students increased their use of words accurately associated with slow loris ecology and conservation from 43% in initial essays to 76% in final essays . Domain coherence increased from 22% to 47% across schools. Fifteen factors contributed to the domain slow loris. Between the first and second essays, factors that showed the greatest change were feeding ecology and slow loris as a forest protector, which increased 7-fold, and the humancentric factor, which decreased 5-fold. As demonstrated by knowledge retention and creation of unique stories and conservation opinions, children achieved all six levels of Bloom's taxonomy of learning domains. Free from the constraints of questionnaires and This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. 3 surveys, CCT methods provide a promising avenue to evaluate conservation education programs.

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“…Researchers from various disciplines have examined the accuracy of science content in both fiction and nonfiction children's trade books addressing different topics and themes, such as whales and dolphins (Beaumont et al, 2017), Testudines (Beaumont et al, 2019), the moon (Rice & Rainsford, 1996;Trundle & Troland, 2005;Trundle et al, 2008), plant reproduction (Schussler, 2008), animals (Marriott, 2002), and the nature of science (Ford, 2006). These studies reported errors and inaccuracies in various scientific aspects of children's books that may reinforce or support inaccurate conceptions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Representation of the ozone layer in children’s trade books about ozone layer depletion: An analysis of written texts in Greece

Kazantzidou

Kotsis

2023

INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED

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Although children’s trade books are considered effective tools for introducing children to science content, studies have concluded that children form alternative ideas about science topics when the information presented in children’s books is inaccurate. The aim of the present study is to examine how stratospheric ozone is represented in children’s books about ozone layer depletion and whether these representations could foster alternative ideas about the topic. A total of nine books, published for preschool and primary school-aged children in Greece, were selected for analysis. Each of the nine books was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The cognitive elements and information provided by the texts concerning the nature and role of ozone were organized into categories and compared with the scientific consensus view. The results revealed that all books identified in this study provided information about the nature of ozone while two books presented its role in the atmosphere. However, the topic was inadequately covered as misrepresentations about the position, distribution, and origin of ozone, its role in the atmosphere and the mechanism preventing UV radiation from reaching the Earth were recorded. Even though children’s books support science teaching and learning, the limitations appearing in the books require teachers to correct the texts or use additional scientifically accurate material to teach about the ozone layer and its depletion adequately and accurately. Collaboration between publishing companies, authors, and science consultants is recommended for improving the representation of science topics in children’s literature.

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Cetacean Frustration: The Representation of Whales and Dolphins in Picture Books for Young Children

Cited by 5 publications

References 18 publications

The Use of Live Action, Animation, and Computer-Generated Imagery in the Depiction of Non-Human Primates in Film

The Use of Live Action, Animation, and Computer-Generated Imagery in the Depiction of Non-Human Primates in Film

A novel application of cultural consensus models to evaluate conservation education programs

Representation of the ozone layer in children’s trade books about ozone layer depletion: An analysis of written texts in Greece

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