Observational Research Of Tv Series

Running Head: SEXIST REMARKS

Observations of the Occurrence of Sexist Remarks in “The Office”
Daniel Alvarado
North Park University

Abstract
The occurrence of sexist remarks in “The Office”, a popular NBC television sitcom about a fictional typical office, was observed in five sequential episodes from the series’ second season. An observer watched a DVD of the office and episodes were observed in twenty individual five minute periods. The individual sexist remarks made by anybody in any circumstances were noted for each period. Also recorded were the gender of the individual who made the remark, which gender the remark referenced and if the remark was made in a group or individual social context. The occurrence of sexist remarks followed no regular trend with regard progression of the series or progression within episodes. It was found that the majority of sexist remarks were made by males. The observations also revealed that sexist remarks were more likely to occur in an individual interaction as opposed to group interactions.

Observations of the Occurrence of Sexist Remarks in “The Office”
Sexual harassment towards both genders is a highly recognized, yet persisting problem in most actual offices, as well as in the fictional one observed in this study. Although it can occur in many different ways, sexual harassment often occurs in the form of a spoken remark. This study observed “The Office” in order to determine the frequency of sexist remarks in the series, which gender was most likely to make sexist remarks, which gender was most likely to be the subject of the remarks and in what social context the remarks were made. “The Office” is a popular NBC television sitcom about a fictional paper distribution office. The series is intended to comically satirize the typical, mundane happenings of the modern American white-collar workplace. The style of subtle comedy in the series is rooted in the uncomfortable, awkward and often times inappropriate...