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)

A survey of 155 midwestern movie viewers was conducted to determine the factors of the selective exposure and appeal of horror films. Audience members leaving the theatre after viewing "Halloween II" were interviewed using a questionnaire that contained measures of specific reasons for liking horror films as well as measures of several…

Explores whether exposure to televised fictional depictions of realistic life-threatening events (fires, drownings) affects children's risk-related assessments that could influence longer-term responses. Finds that children exposed to a particular threat rated similar events more likely to occur in their own lives, considered potential…

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…

Parents of preschool, first- and fourth-grade children were surveyed regarding media presentations that caused fear in their children. Results demonstrate that theories of cognitive development may provide an explanatory and predictive framework for understanding children's fears. (PD)

Investigates the relationship between individual differences in "arousability" and the tendency for college students to report enduring negative reactions from exposure to frightening media. Finds that arousability was related to both enduring and immediate fright reactions. Notes that physiological indicators were associated with arousability for…

This explication of the role of cognitive processes in fright reactions to mass media stimuli focuses on past experiences as a possible--and important--component in the fear response. Research is reported on development of a measure of the nature of these past experiences. Implications for use are discussed. (MBR)

This paper focuses on the reasons why media violence research is often misunderstood. First, it explains the methodological limitations of studying media violence and argues that these limitations are similar to those accepted in medical research. Second, it explores the role of emotional response that media violence can produce and possible…

Reports on a study conducted to assess the effectiveness of two strategies, both involving desensitization, for reducing grade-school children's emotional reactions to mass media. Finds that while both strategies reduced emotional reactions, only the rehearsed explanation altered children's conceptions of the dangerous object. (SR)

Describes a study comparing the way cognitive manipulations affected the emotional responses of preschool and elementary school children to a frightening film, i.e., telling children the presentation is not real, and role-taking. Emotional responses of 9- to 11-year-olds were modified by instructional sets while 3- to 5-year-olds' responses were…

Describes a study that was designed to examine the emotional consequences of providing information about the likelihood of a frightening media event to children in kindergarten through third grade. Facial and physiological indicators of fear were measured, and implications for understanding media-induced fear and for selecting effective coping…

Provides an overview of the research on mass media effects on perceptions of crime danger, personal fear of crime, and reactions to crime risk. Discovers that mass media effects involve a number of variables and moderators. These include audience characteristics, degree and type of coverage, and location. (MJP)

Research indicates that children are especially vulnerable to the effects of television viewing. Taking a psychological, social-science perspective, this book explores how television viewing affects children. Chapter 1, "Introduction," (MacBeth) discusses the issues involved, how researchers go about studying media effects, whether television…