UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

MALAYSIAN ANIMATED TV SERIES: UPIN& IPIN THROUGH PIAGET'S

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

NOR ' ANIRA BINTI HARIS

Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Arts

Faculty of Film, Theatre and Animation

April 2016

CONFIRMATION BY PANEL OF EXAMINERS

I certify that a Panel of Examiners has met on 3 r November 2015 to conduct the final examination of Nor'Anira Binti Haris on his Master of Arts thesis entitled "Malaysian Animated TV Series: Upin & Ipin Through Piaget's Cognitive Development" in accordance with Universiti Teknologi MARA Act 1976 (Akta 173). The Panel of Examniners recommends that the student be awarded the relevant degree. The panel of Examiners was as follows:

Solehah Ishak, PhD Professor Faculty of Film, Theatre and Animation Universiti Teknologi MARA (Chairman)

Norman Yusoff, PhD Head of Postgraduate Studies Faculty of Film, Theatre and Animation Universiti Teknologi MARA (Internal Examiner)

Muhammad Zaffwan Idris, PhD Faculty of Art, Computing and Creative Industry Sultan Idris Education University (External Examiner)

SITIHALIJJAH SHARIFF, PhD Associate Professor Dean Institute of Graduates Studies Universiti Teknologi MARA Date: 15th April, 2016

AUTHOR'S DECLARATION

I declare that the work in this thesis was carried out in accordance with the regulation

of Universiti Teknologi MARA. It is original and is the result of my own work, unless

otherwise indicated or acknowledged as reference work. This thesis has not been

submitted to any other academic institution or non-academic institution for any degree

or qualification.

I, hereby, acknowledge that have been supplied with the Academic Rules and

Regulations for Post Graduate, Universiti Teknologi MARA, regulating the conduct

of my study and research.

Name of Student Nor ' Anira Binti Haris

Student LD. No. 2011399035

Programme : Master of Artistic and Creative Technology

Faculty Film, Theatre and Animation

Thesis Title Malaysian Animated TV Series:

Upin & Ipin Through Piaget's Cognitive

Development

Signature of Student

Date April 2016

[^JIA^^UJ

III

ABSTRACT

Malaysia's animated TV series, Upin & Ipin is one of the biggest names when it comes to the animation industry. Upin & Ipin's ability to attract a large number of local and international fans has inspired an investigation into the internal workings of the elements that contribute to its success. This research aims to identify the content development of the Upin & Ipin series in association with notions of child psychology. By framing Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development, this research explores the development of a child's psychology in efforts to formulate animation content best suited for a young viewership. The research identifies with young children below the age of twelve with regards to their preference and interests through observation and questionnaire survey. Furthermore, this research paper debates Livingstone (2000) who disagrees with Davies's (1989) view that television is an important medium for children. Although they use different media in their everyday life, television remains the most popular medium and occupies a significant proportion of children's time. And up until 2003, Kaiser Family Foundation has revealed the how's and why's of children watching television. Finally, this research paper has discussed the content and type of stories that psychologically impact and appeal to children.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

CONFIRMATION BY PANEL OF EXAMINERS ii

AUTHOR'S DECLARATION iii

ABSTRACT iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v

TABLE OF CONTENTS vi

LIST OF TABLES ix

LIST OF FIGURES x

LIST OF ABBREVIATION xii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Background of the Study 4

1.3 Problem Statement 8

1.4 Objectives of the Research 9

1.5 Hypothesis 10

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study 10

1.7 Significance of Study 11

1.8 Conclusion 13

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction 15

2.2 Background of Study 15

2.2.1 Introduction to Child Cognitive Development 15

2.2.2 JeanPiaget: Theory of Cognitive Development 20

2.2.3 The Background: Upin & Ipin Animated Series 28

2.3 Children's Film 32

2.4 Conclusion 43

vi

ABSTRACTTABLE OF CONTENTSCHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION1.1 INTRODUCTION1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH1.5 HYPOTHESIS1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY1.7 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY1.8 CONCLUSION

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW2.1 INTRODUCTION2.2 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY2.2.1 Introduction to Child Cognitive Development2.2.2 Jean Piaget: Theory of Cognitive Development2.2.3 The Background: Upin & Ipin Animated Series

2.3 CHILDREN'S FILM2.4 CONCLUSION

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY3.1 INTRODUCTION3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN3.3 TYPES OF DATA3.3.1 Observation Survey3.3.2 Questionnaire Survey3.3.3 Variables3.3.4 Population and Sample

3.4 STRUCTURE OF RESEARCH3.4.1 Ethics in Research

3.5 MEASUREMENT IN RESEARCH3.6 CONCLUSION

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA COLLECTION & DATA ANALYSIS4.1 INTRODUCTION4.2 DATA COLLECTION4.2.1 Observation4.2.2 Questionnaire Survey

4.3 DATA ANALYSIS4.3.1 Pre-Operational Stage4.3.2 Concrete Operational Stage

4. 4 THE STORY OF UPIN & IPIN4.5 CONTENT IN UPIN & IPIN4.6 DATA INTERPRETATION4.6.1 Storyline4.6.2 Dialogue4.6.3 Combination of Genre and Moral Values

4.7 CONCLUSION

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION5.1 INTRODUCTION5.2 PIAGET'S THEORY OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND UPIN & IPIN5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH5.4 CONCLUSION

REFERENCESAPPENDICESAUTHOR'S PROFILE