DISSECTING DEXTER: TELEVISION PORTRAYAL OF SELF-DISCLOSURE AS A RELATIONAL CONTROLTOOL

DISSECTING DEXTER: TELEVISION PORTRAYAL OF

SELF-DISCLOSURE AS A RELATIONAL CONTROLTOOL

By Jeremiah Miner

Thesis Advisor: Dr. John C. Sherblom

AnAbstract of the Thesis Presented

inPartial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the

Degreeof Master of Arts

(in Communication)

May, 2011

DEXTER, the Showtime program, boasts the largest audience in paid-network or cable history(Weprin, 2009). The main character Dexter Morgan is the first anti-hero serial killer in the prolonged exposure medium of television. DEXTER has possibly become popular because the character successfully manages to keep his murderous addiction and sociopathic nature hidden. In an age when social media make it almost impossible for a person to remain anonymous, the character of Dexter Morgan has managed to do so.

Audience members have killed allegedly mimicking DEXTER but the present study seeks to understand the more mundane, innocuous, and easily adopted type of behavior, that is also potentially troublesome. This thesis analyzes the portrayal of Dexter Morgan and the portrayal of his stealth through the interpersonal behavior self-disclosure as relational control (SDRC). Results of this media content analysis are interpreted through the media effects tradition, specifically using Alfred Bandura’s (1986) Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). SCT predicts that audience members may adopt behavior seen on television, particularly if identification with the main character takes place.

The results of this thesis are compared to previous self-disclosure and relational control literature. This comparison supports the argument that the program DEXTER mimics everyday life to an extent but that an exaggeration, outside genuine human interactions, is portrayed involving SDRC. DEXTER exhibits but magnifies SDRC, which may invite audience members to adopt behaviors in mimicry of these exaggerations. Implications of these findings are discussed.