Meaning-Making from Films

Abstract Two studies examine meaning-making as a collection of cognitive and affective processes for understanding film messages and extrapolating these lessons to one's own life. Study 1 used a quantitative codebook drawing on existing conceptualizations of meaning-making in psychology to examine the frequency of these themes in open-ended responses about a self-selected film and its impact. Study 2 drills deeper by using qualitative interviews to analyze how audiences perceive self-selected films as meaningful and impactful. These top-down and bottom-up analyses revealed broad similarities and demonstrated that both cognitive evaluations and affective investment are essential elements of meaning-making and post-viewing reflection. A variety of films were reported as meaningful media experiences, emphasizing the importance of individual/context-related factors over content features in meaning-making. This work gives insight into the elements and mechanisms of how meaning-making with films can be seen as part of a larger sense-making process for viewers’ own lives, which contributes to improved psychological well-being.