Short answer
When designing new characters or updating existing ones, understand that users may hold onto established definitions, and consider how to bridge the gap between the new and the familiar.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Social Sciences (2018)
- Method
- Quantitative survey and experimental design.
- Sample
- 131 participants
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
While young children can differentiate between traditional and modern princess character traits, their fundamental understanding of what constitutes a 'princess' is not easily altered by exposure to newer, more progressive characters. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Social Sciences. Using Quantitative survey and experimental design. with 131 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing new characters or updating existing ones, understand that users may hold onto established definitions, and consider how to bridge the gap between the new and the familiar.
Children's perception of 'princess' roles shifts with character evolution, but broader 'princess' identity remains resistant to change.
While young children can differentiate between traditional and modern princess character traits, their fundamental understanding of what constitutes a 'princess' is not easily altered by exposure to newer, more progressive characters.
Social Sciences · 2018
Key Findings
- 01Children recognized the distinct gendered profiles of Aurora (largely feminine) and Moana (more androgynous).
- 02Viewing a newer Disney movie did not alter children's general perception of what a 'princess' is.
- 03A significant portion of children did not categorize Moana as a princess.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing new characters or updating existing ones, understand that users may hold onto established definitions, and consider how to bridge the gap between the new and the familiar.
How to apply
When developing a new product line or character, test how it fits within existing user categories and be prepared to educate users on how it represents a new or evolved concept.
Project actions
- 01When researching user perceptions, consider both specific item attributes and broader category definitions.
- 02Be aware that user definitions can be surprisingly rigid, even when presented with new examples.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Directly addresses a gap in understanding children's interpretation of evolving gender roles in media.
- +Uses a combination of pre- and post-exposure measures to assess impact.
Limitations
The study's findings are specific to children and Disney princesses; they may not apply to adult perceptions or other product categories.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be enhanced by using more standardized scales for characteristic attribution. Validity is supported by the pre- and post-exposure design, but the specific definition of 'princess' is subjective.
Think critically
To what extent do cultural narratives and established media franchises shape and potentially limit users' ability to adopt new definitions or archetypes?
Design Principles
"User schema adaptation is gradual and can be resistant to change, especially for deeply ingrained concepts."
This highlights a critical nuance for designers creating characters or brands aimed at children. It suggests that while evolving character archetypes can influence perceptions of specific roles, deeply ingrained cultural schemas or definitions require more significant intervention to shift.
What This Means for Your Design
Kids know Moana is different from Sleeping Beauty, but they still think of 'princess' in the old way, so they don't always call Moana a princess.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify exploring user definitions of common product categories or archetypes in your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that while users can differentiate between evolving character archetypes, their fundamental definitions of broader categories can be resistant to change. For instance, a study on children's perceptions of Disney princesses found that while they recognized the distinct traits of modern characters like Moana compared to traditional ones like Sleeping Beauty, their overall classification of 'princess' did not readily include Moana, suggesting that established schemas require significant intervention to adapt.
Source
Social Sciences
From the Sleeping Princess to the World-Saving Daughter of the Chief: Examining Young Children’s Perceptions of ‘Old’ versus ‘New’ Disney Princess Characters
journal · 2018
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about children's perception of 'princess' roles shifts with character evolution, but broader 'princess' identity remains resistant to change?
- When designing new characters or updating existing ones, understand that users may hold onto established definitions, and consider how to bridge the gap between the new and the familiar. Evidence: Social Sciences (2018).
- Why does "Children's perception of 'princess' roles shifts with character evolution, but broader 'princess' identity remains resistant to change." matter for design?
- This highlights a critical nuance for designers creating characters or brands aimed at children. It suggests that while evolving character archetypes can influence perceptions of specific roles, deeply ingrained cultural schemas or definitions require more significant intervention to shift.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing new characters or updating existing ones, understand that users may hold onto established definitions, and consider how to bridge the gap between the new and the familiar.
- What were the main findings?
- Children recognized the distinct gendered profiles of Aurora (largely feminine) and Moana (more androgynous).. Viewing a newer Disney movie did not alter children's general perception of what a 'princess' is.. A significant portion of children did not categorize Moana as a princess.
- What research method was used?
- Quantitative survey and experimental design. with 131 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2018 journal from Social Sciences.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing a new product line or character, test how it fits within existing user categories and be prepared to educate users on how it represents a new or evolved concept.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on a specific age group and cultural context (UK children). The definition of 'princess' might vary across different cultures and age demographics.