Finds that (1) messages discrepant with existing beliefs have a greater impact on confidence in beliefs than do nondiscrepant messages; and (2) more expert sources slightly increase confidence in beliefs. Suggests that effects of message exposure on confidence and the effects of confidence on belief change persistence may depend on whether beliefs…

Supports the hypothesis that exposure to nonmediated information that conflicts with information gained from a media source would cause an increase in media skepticism. Suggests that media skepticism may be a useful construct for future research in communication processes and effects. (NKA)

Explores the potential role of mental imagery for media effects in emotional responses to frightening mass media, and in the effects of the media on beliefs in UFOs. Finds that individual differences in vividness of mental imagery may play a crucial role in moderating both types of media impact. (SR)

Finds that (1) for neutral ads, people estimated themselves to be more resistant than others, but for emotional ads, more yielding to influence than others; (2) for public service announcements, there were no differences in perceived self and other influence; and (3) judgments of persuasive influence on self and others were markedly overestimated.…

Studies children (grades 1-6) recalling watching television with someone who became scared--they described how they comforted the individual, rated aspects of viewing situation, described how they would comfort a hypothetical friend, and completed a self-report measure of empathy. Finds empathy related to comforting level in both…

Examines the influence of mass media, interpersonal channels, and self-efficacy on risk judgment. Confirms that mass media channels influence social-level risk judgments. Finds that personal-level risk was influenced to some degree by mass media channels and that interpersonal channels and self-efficacy account for some variance on social-level…

Explores the interface between ego-involvement and the third person effect. Finds (1) that partisan viewers (pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian) believe that news coverage causes neutral viewers to view their side unfavorably and their antagonist more favorably; and (2) that news coverage did not significantly affect neutral subjects' attitudes. (SR)

Investigates whether audio/video redundancy improves memory for television messages. Suggests a theoretical framework for classifying previous work and reinterpreting the results. Suggests general support for the notion that redundancy levels affect the capacity requirements of the message, which impact differentially on audio or visual…

Investigates whether the intensity and scope of media system dependency (MSD) relations are positively related to perceptions of threats in the environment. Finds that higher perceptions of threat are associated with more intense MSD relations; threat perceptions are strong predictors of the intensity of MSD relations when demographic variables…

Investigates effects of undergraduate students' physiological arousal induced by physical activity on schematic priming effects from music videos. Finds that in high-arousal conditions priming effects were more extreme and more closely resembled music video content than in low-arousal conditions. (SR)

Analyzes National Election Study 1990 Post-Election Survey data to examine how whites' reliance on ideological principles or affect in forming opinions depends on news media exposure. Shows that increased information-oriented media use enhances the role of ideological orientation and, possibly, causal attributions in whites' racial policy…

Indicates that (1) both younger (four-five years) and older (seven-eight years) children were significantly less likely to discriminate commercial from program content when the host-selling format was viewed, and (2) older children are more favorably influenced by the same commercial content when it is seen in a host-selling presentation than in a…

States that the widespread use of fear appeals in health communication campaigns reflects the existence of a folk theory that suggests messages are accepted due to induced fright. Discusses two studies to determine the effect of public service announcements on the topic of AIDS/HIV. Finds a variety of affects were induced, most of which predicted…

Examines the changing industry role of the six transnational phonogram companies. Argues that high market concentration does not produce an inevitable decrease in popular music diversity. Presents a new popular music model that takes into account the open system of musical production as a strategy in maintaining control of the marketplace. (SR)

Finds, studying 491 adults, stress (measured by life events) was unrelated to time spent viewing TV but, for women, was positively related to television "addiction." Finds, studying 329 families, confirmation of mood management theory--stress was associated with increased comedy and decreased news viewing. Finds, studying 140 adults,…