COMPLETION REPORT
Japanese anime: Can it change the attitude towards deaf people?
Ms. Wan Yin Lee (+2)
Lecturer
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR),
Japanese Anime: Can it change attitude towards deaf people?
Adolescence is a time of self-discovery and learning to relate to other people. Youths may have met people whoare very different from themselves (such as deaf people) and may not know how to relate to them. As deafness is aninvisible disability, the general hearing population may not be aware of the special needs (e.g., mode of communication)and challenges deaf people face in life (e.g., discrimination). The lack of knowledge and uncertainty of relating to deaf
individuals may lead to developing negative attitudes, peer rejection and possible school bullying. These negative attitudes
towards deaf peers would also affect the confidence, self-image and self-esteem of the deaf classmate. Studies have shownthat films are effective and exciting teaching tool to develop awareness. It is reasonable to believe that films can be effectivein educating and creating awareness about the needs and challenges of deaf people. With the increasing popularity ofJapanese anime among youngsters in Malaysia, anime might be a good media to create deaf awareness.
Therefore, this study aimed to examine if viewing a Japanese anime that featured a deaf character can change
attitude towards deaf people among hearing students. The movie “A Silent Voice” ( 聲の形) was used as the intervention.
Sixty students (18 - 21 years old) were recruited for the study. A one-group pre- and post-test design (i.e., before and after
watching the film) was used to assess the effect of the anime on participants’ attitude towards deaf people. Results showedthat participants reported higher score (i.e., more positive) in the general and affective attitude towards deaf people afterviewing the film. There was also an improvement in the social acceptance and more positive opinions about deaf people’sability after viewing the film.
The findings indicate that the Japanese anime is an effective tool to change the attitude towards deaf people. This
invention can assist classroom integration between hearing and deaf students in the mainstream schools. As the film
presents a similar inclusive education classroom situation, it brings out controversial issues, challenges your perception andprovides new perspectives of interacting with deaf people. Taking a step further, educators can use these themes presented
by the film to have open discussions about these issues with the students. Interventions like this prepares the hearing
students to better receive the deaf student, and for the deaf student to integrate better in the education setting and society.

Publication of the Results of Research Project:
Verbal Presentation (Date, Venue, Name of Conference, Title of Presentation, Presenter, etc.)
Lee, W. Y., Tan, C-S., & Siah, P. C. (2018). Changing Malaysian Youth’s Attitude Towards Deaf People ThroughJapanese Anime. Poster presentation, European Association for Research on Adolescence (EARA) Congress 2018.
12-15 September 2018, Ghent University, Belgium.

Thesis (Name of Journal and its Date, Title and Author of Thesis, etc.)
N/A

Book (Publisher and Date of the Book, Title and Author of the Book, etc.)
N/A