1st Edition

The Psychology of Television

By John Condry Copyright 1989
    340 Pages
    by Routledge

    by Routledge

    This volume addresses the content of television -- both programs and advertisements -- and the psychological effects of the content on the audience. The author not only reports new research, but explains its practical applications without jargon. Issues are discussed and described in terms of psychological mechanisms and causal routes of influence. While primarily referring to the American television industry and American governmental regulations, the psychological principles discussed are applicable to television viewers world wide.

    Contents: Part I:Essential Facts and Indirect Effects.What is Television? The Audience: Who Watches, When, What, and Why? The Program Content of Television Part II:The Psychology of Television: Psychological Mechanisms of Influence.Behavioral Mechanisms: Imitation, Disinhibition, and Arousal/Desensitization. Cognitive Mechanisms I: The Influence of Television on Attitudes, Beliefs, and Judgments. Cognitive Mechanisms II: Attention, Comprehension, and Perceived Reality. NonProgram Content of Television: Mechanisms of Persuasion. J. Condry, C. Schiebe, NonProgram Content of Television: Mechanisms of Persuasion. Part IIIRegulation and Speculations.Social Policy and the Regulation of Television for Children. The Future of Television.

    Biography

    John Condry

    "The reader is provided not with idle speculation about this contemporary social force but, rather, with a careful review of research from the classic work in the field....An excellent book for upper-level undergraduate students in child development and psychology, communications, and education. Because of its readable style, it is useful also to general readers concerned about television as a social force."
    CHOICE

    "Condry writes well, the graphic presentations are particularly illuminating, and the original work he presents is informative."
    Journalism Quarterly

    "...an important addition to our understanding of television."
    Communication Booknotes