Vicarious Trauma

Abstract

The construct of this thesis is an examination of the role of trauma or traumatic events within a viewer’s vicarious experience. The fundamental aspects, which I will be examining, in order to understand this role, will be vicarious witnessing of traumatic events via media and art. Beginning with how trauma is understood in a clinical sense, the thesis will explore the definition and the history of trauma. Furthermore, the thesis will explore the understanding of vicarious trauma through media witnessing. This thesis presents case studies in which the experience of a traumatic event is portrayed, in a vicarious capacity, to an audience, whether it be through mass media, or contemporary art and will establish the importance and role of vicarious trauma in today’s society.