Investigating the gender effect of dramatic narrative in interactive films with psychophysiological data harvesting technique

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of dramatic narrative in interactive films on gender perception using psychophysiological data harvesting technique. Interactive films differentiate from traditional cinema experiences by enabling audience participation and interaction. The study was conducted on the interactive films 'Late Shift' and 'The Complex'. The findings revealed in detail the effects of dramatic narrative and character identification on gender perception. GSR and eye-tracking data revealed participants' emotional and cognitive responses and analyzed how they behaved according to gender roles. In particular, participants' eye movements and skin reactions varied depending on the intensity of the dramatic narrative and the gender roles of the characters. Semi-structured interviews provided an in-depth understanding of the participants' interactions with the characters in the interactive films and how these interactions were shaped by gender oppression. In conclusion, this study contributes to the field of interactive cinema by examining the effects of interactive films on audience behavior in the light of gender roles and unconscious decision-making processes. The differences between the choices that viewers want to make on an unconscious level and the choices they make as a result of social pressures provide a re-evaluation of gender perception in a digitalized world. KEYWORDS: Interactive Film, Gender, Psychophysiological Data Harvesting, Jungian Archetypes, Character Identification