Media as a Context of Development

Media as a socializing agent

Learn values, goals and belief system of society/culture

Media represent a broad but also narrow socialization influence

How Does Media Influence Children? Is the medium the message?

Time displacementImaginationDistractibility and attention span

Or Is the content the Message?

Cultivation hypothesis exposure is key (passive viewer)

Social learning theory modeling behavior they watch

Constructivist perspective involvement plays a key role (active viewer)

Constructivist Perspective

Identification with characters

Viewing motivation reasons for watching

Uses of Media

Entertainment Learning Identity Formation High Sensation Coping Youth Culture Identification

Constructivist Perspective

Perceived realism Do you see TV as real?

Active/passive viewing

Media Preferences by Age Group

Individual and Group DifferencesDifferences remain stableAfrican-Americans and Latinos

tend to be heavier consumers of the media

Boys watch more TV than girls until late childhood

Music TV

American adolescents watch MTV approx. 15-30 minutes a day

Two categories:Performance VideosConcept Videos

What Are the Messages Shown?

Content analysisViolence

71% of prime-time 92% of Saturday morning

showsAbout 15% of music videos

Sex in the Media

Actual sex is not shown, but often implied

Different roles for males & females

Sex is shown as recreational Rarely refer to consequences

Gender

Women are underrepresentedGender roles are stereotyped

Women young, attractive, thin, sexual object, nurturing, no focus on professional roles

Men emotionless, strong, powerful, dominant, buffoons

Race/ethnicity

Recognition vs. respectLimited diversityStereotyped portrayals

What do Youth Comprehend?

Understand better if they can relate to it

Youth see messages found in content analyses

What Does Media Influence?

LanguageSpatial skills no evidenceTime displacement homeworkKnowledge of stereotypes

stereotype threat

Violence and AggressionTV viewing contributes to belief

that violence is frequent in the real world

Viewing TV violence lead to increase in aggressive attitudes, values, and behaviors

Field studiesLongitudinalNatural experimentLab experiment

Longitudinal and Experimental Evidence

Computer Games & Aggressiveness

A majority of adolescents’ favorite games involve themes of violence

Playing violent computer games heightened aggressiveness, hostility and anxiety

Sexuality

TV influences attitudes & expectations

Little evidence of direct influence on behavior

Women are especially vulnerable

Attitudes About Gender

Endorse gender roles attitudes consistent with those of TV (more traditional and stereotypical)

Attitudes about self and others

Race/ethnicity

Racial attitudes Influence self-concept and

esteem Influence academic achievement

& motivation

Big Tobacco & Advertising

What can we do?

Censorship?Turn off the TV?Media literacy