1 Chapter 20 MediaEntertainmentEffects

2 A Brief History of Entertainment Entertainment has been common among cultures throughout the world and throughout the ages. Merriment and fun were considered sinful by religious extremists. Michel de Montaigne and Sigmund Freud are responsible for the modern view of entertainment.

3 Methods of Research Uses and gratifications –Helpful in providing researchers with indications about people’s likes and dislikes and their perceptions and interpretations of their motives for selecting particular media fare Behavioral research –Designed to explore the factors that determine enlightenment and enjoyment in entertaining media fare

4 Selective Exposure Assumes that people make entertainment choices based on personal preferences and needs

5 Entertainment Choices Usually impulsive Determined by a person’s mood Satisfy different needs –Excitement –Relaxation Based on affective or emotional state of being

6 Entertainment Choices (Cont’d) People in a bad mood might choose an absorbing program to help forget about the bad mood. When in a highly agitated emotional state, people tend to avoid entertainment. People often consume humor and comedy to be in a better mood or stay in a good mood. People tend to select programs that will relieve their discomfort.

7 Enjoyment of Entertainment Entertainment is an effective and acceptable means of relief from discontent and the unavoidable stress of daily life. Some forms of entertainment are more enjoyable than others. –Based on individual preference

8 Drama “a state, situation, or series of events involving intense conflict of forces” Elements in a good dramatic program: –Conflict –Interesting characters –Satisfying resolution Disposition model –Bryant and Zillmann (1994)

9 Humor Comedy is a form of drama. Humor –Helps persuade people –Lowers their guard while watching a commercial –Makes them have a positive disposition toward the message source Laughing is contagious.

10 Sports Fans tend to treat their favorite teams and players as beloved heroes. In a study, fans who saw their favorite team win had personal self-esteem and personal confidence raised. –Dispositional factors at work The effects of social interactions on the enjoyment of sporting events are unclear.

11 Suspense Emotional response to a narrative or parts of a narrative in which audience members are unsure of a final outcome. The stimulation that suspense thrillers provide is the key to their popularity. Empathy theory (Zillmann, 1996) –Explains why audiences of suspense become emotionally or psychologically involved

12 Horror Men enjoy horror more when they are in the company of a terrified female. Women are more likely to enjoy horror if they watch it with a male who exhibits mastery.

13 Recent Research and Future Trends Technological advances promise to bring more leisure time and more opportunities for entertainment. Researchers have begun to study the effects of entertainment through many different types of media.