1. Media as a Context of Development

2. Media as a socializing agent Learn values, goals and belief system of society/culture Media represent a broad but also narrow socialization influence

3. How Does Media Influence Children? Is the medium the message?  Time displacement  Imagination  Distractibility and attention span

4. 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)

5. Constructivist Perspective Identification with characters Viewing motivation  reasons for watching

6. Uses of Media Entertainment Learning Identity Formation High Sensation Coping Youth Culture Identification

7. Constructivist Perspective Perceived realism  Do you see TV as real? Active/passive viewing

8. Media Preferences by Age Group

9. Individual and Group Differences Differences remain stable African-Americans and Latinos tend to be heavier consumers of the media Boys watch more TV than girls until late childhood

10. Music TV American adolescents watch MTV approx. 15-30 minutes a day Two categories:  Performance Videos  Concept Videos

11. What Are the Messages Shown? Content analysis Violence  71% of prime-time  92% of Saturday morning shows  About 15% of music videos

12. 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

13. Gender Women are underrepresented Gender roles are stereotyped  Women  young, attractive, thin, sexual object, nurturing, no focus on professional roles  Men  emotionless, strong, powerful, dominant, buffoons

14. Race/ethnicity Recognition vs. respect Limited diversity Stereotyped portrayals

15. What do Youth Comprehend? Understand better if they can relate to it Youth see messages found in content analyses

16. What Does Media Influence? Language Spatial skills  no evidence Time displacement  homework Knowledge of stereotypes  stereotype threat

17. Violence and Aggression TV viewing contributes to belief that violence is frequent in the real world Viewing TV violence lead to increase in aggressive attitudes, values, and behaviors

18. Field studies Longitudinal Natural experiment Lab experiment Longitudinal and Experimental Evidence

19. Computer Games & Aggressiveness A majority of adolescents’ favorite games involve themes of violence Playing violent computer games  heightened aggressiveness, hostility and anxiety

20. Sexuality TV influences attitudes & expectations Little evidence of direct influence on behavior Women are especially vulnerable

21. Attitudes About Gender Endorse gender roles attitudes consistent with those of TV (more traditional and stereotypical) Attitudes about self and others

22. Race/ethnicity Racial attitudes Influence self-concept and esteem Influence academic achievement & motivation

23. Big Tobacco & Advertising

24. What can we do? Censorship? Turn off the TV? Media literacy