Mediated Communication & You An Introduction to Internet & Media Effects

Engaging, up-to-date, and accessible, Mediated Communication & You: An Introduction to Internet & Media Effects introduces you to crucial questions and issues in media use, the possible negative effects of media, and theories and research on mediated communication. The text helps readers develop an awareness of the diversity of mediated messages and media use responses. It also considers potential positive outcomes of media use and why we enjoy the internet and media, topics that are particularly important in today's digital world.

Topics covered include: how mediated communication affects our worldviews and social groups; how news coverage takes shape and is consumed by audiences; political communication and opinion expression; emotions and pleasure resulting from mediated communication; health communication; computer-mediated communication; and much more.

Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick is Professor of Communication at The Ohio State University. She is the author of Choice and Preference in Media Use (2015) and Playing with Destiny: An Analysis of Interactive Entertainment Based on Action Theory and Personality Psychology (2000). Dr. Knobloch-Westerwick is coeditor of Communication Research.

Axel Westerwick has taught communication classes for over a decade at The Ohio State University. He used his experiences to integrate online sessions in his teaching as one of the first instructors at the OSU School of Communication.

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1. Mediated Communication and Its Kin: Understanding What We Are Talking About
High Hopes and Crucial Concerns
Easy Information Access versus Information Overload
Connectedness versus Alienation
Definition of Communication
Noninteractive, Reactive, and Interactive Communication
Elements in the Communication Process
Organizations and Groups in Mass Communication
The Issue of Mass in Mass Communication
Functions of Mass Communication
Mediated Communication
Chapter 2. Media Shaping Our World Perception: "The Pictures in Our Heads"
First- and Second-Hand Experiences
Cultivation Theory
Cultural Indicators Research Project
--Method Spotlight (Multi-Method): TV Portrayals and the Real World
Criticism on Cultivation Theory and Research
Refinements Beyond Original Cultivation
Differentiating Genres
Differentiated Cultivation Impacts
The Heuristic Processing Model
Cognitive Lens to Media Impacts on Real-World Perceptions
Priming
Exemplification Theory
Chapter 3. Social Group Perceptions and Media: Those We Like and Dislike
The Issue of Media Reinforcing Stereotypes
Stereotypes--Efficient, Accurate, Ethical?
The Messages: Media Representations of Social Groups
--Method Spotlight (Content Analysis): Social Groups Represented in Prime Time
Theory Frameworks on Group Portrayal Impacts
Cognitive Perspectives: Media Priming of Stereotypes and Implicit Bias
A Motivational Perspective to Intergroup Communication: Social Identity Theory
Differentiations of Stereotype Content and Impacts
Counter-Acting Stereotyping Through Media Messages
Chapter 4. Media Use Motivations: Addressing Your Needs and Managing Your Self
Always Communicating
The Uses-and-Gratifications Approach
Origins
Explication
The Golden Age
Criticism
--Method Spotlight (Survey): The Appeal of Talent Reality TV
Seventy Years of Research
New Perspectives to Motivations for Mediated Communication: Shape Your Self!
Mediated Communication for Developmental Purposes
The Downside of Mediated Communication as Developmental Toolbox
Self-Management and Identity Reinforcement
Stereotype Threat and Lift
Chapter 5. Emergence and Interpretation of Issues: How Topics Catch the Limelight
Agenda-Setting
The Basics
--Method Spotlight (Experiment): News' Impact on Issue Importance
Media Priming
Refinements
Agenda-Building
Agenda-Setting in a Fragmented and Interactive Media Landscape
Framing
The Basics of Framing Research
Illustrating Framing Research--The Issue of Obesity
Framing--A "Catch-All" Phrase?
Chapter 6. Following and Contributing to New: Keeping Up with What's Going On
Tectonic Shifts in the News Landscape
From Gatekeeping to Gatewatching
Newsworthiness and Shareworthiness
--Method Spotlight (Content Analysis): News Comments as Challenge to Mainstream Views
Paying Attention to News
Attention Levels
Informational Utility
Attention to Self-Interests, Values, and Groups
News Knowledge and Relevant Developments
Accessing and Learning from News
High-Choice Media Environment
Overarching News Flaws
The Softening of News
Chapter 7. Mediated Politics: Challenges for Constructive Conflict
What Is Political Communication?
Incivility in Public Discourse
Divides in the Electorate
Polarization of Political Attitudes
Confirmation Bias
Cognitive Engagement
--Method Spotlight (Experiment, Observations): Confirmation Bias in Online Search
Mediatization
The Jigsaw of Political Communication
Chapter 8. Your Opinion Expression in a Public Context: Speaking Out Loud?
What's an Opinion?
Understandings and Importance of Public Opinion
Spiral of Silence Theory
Public Opinion and Fear of Isolation
The Quasi-Statistical Sense
Spiraling Dynamics
Dual Climate of Opinion and Other Pitfalls of Public Opinion
Opinion Expression as the Key Outcome
Reference Groups, Avant-Gardes, and Hard Cores
Empirical Evidence for Spiral of Silence Processes
Public Opinion in the Internet Era
Gauging Public Opinion Online
Online versus Offline Opinion Expression
Hearing or Avoiding the Other Side?
--Method Spotlight (Survey): Speaking Up Online
Chapter 9. Persuasion Dynamics: Our Views Swayed
Defining Persuasion
At the Heart of Persuasion: Attitudes
Differentiating Sources in Persuasion
The Sleeper Effect in the Internet Age
Key Characteristics of Persuasive Messages
Argument Quality
Two-Sidedness
Evidence Type
Recipient and Situation Characteristics
Personal Relevance
Attitude Importance
Need for Cognition
Elaboration Likelihood Model
Processing Modes
Motivation and Ability
Peripheral Processing Route
Central Processing Route
Bottom Line
Chapter 10. Emotions and Excitation: Your Feelings in a Mediated Context
Why Care About Emotions?
Components and Relevance of Emotions
Functionality of Emotions Then and Now
Empathy in Mediated Communication
Understanding Excitation from Mediated Communication
Excitation Transfer Theory
Implications of Excitation Transfer
--Method Spotlight (Experiment, Physiological Data): Football Thrills
Desensitization and Attention Problems
Fear as an Example for a Specific Emotion in Mediated Communication
Chapter 11. Pleasure and Enjoyment Seeking: Using Media to Feel High and Low
Mood Management Theory (MMT)
Assumptions
Predictions
Mood-Impacting Message Characteristics
--Method Spotlight (Experiment, Observations): Picking Out Entertainment
Applicability and Challenges
Affective Disposition Theory of Media Enjoyment
Media Enjoyment
Affective Disposition and Dispositional Mediation of Affect
Moral Judgment
Antiheroes and Morally Ambiguous Characters
Eudaimonia
Chapter 12. Health and Risk Communication: Super Bodies and Death Fears
Public Health Communication Campaigns
Social Cognitive Theory
Human Capabilities
Observational Learning
Mechanisms Shaping Observational Learning
--Method Spotlight (Content Analysis): Fitspiration on Social Media
Entertainment-Education
Purpose
Examples and Definition
Processes and Impacts
Empirical Evidence
Looking Ahead
Chapter 13. Computer-Mediated Communication and Social Media: Your Personal Information Galore
Understanding Computer-Mediated Communication
Development and Adoption of Social Media
Key Theories for Computer-Mediatied Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Intergroup Communication
Network Communication
Select Research Insights
Misinformation via Social Media
Online Dating
--Method Spotlight (Focus Group Discussions): The Dark Side of Social Media
Looking Ahead
Chapter 14. The Role of Advertising: How Your Attention and Money Make the Media Go Around
Importance of Advertising
Advertising Fueling the Economy
Advertising Impacting Individuals
Advertising Matters for Media
Media's Mixed-Revenue Model
Selling Audiences
Creating Audiences
Using Data to Sell Audiences
Digital Revolution in Advertising
Advertising Data Avalanche
--Method Spotlight (Big Data): Tweaking Online Ads with Consumer Data
Computational Advertising
From Audience Creation to Audience Chasing?
From Subsidizing to Compiling Content