A Cognitive Psychology of Mass Communication

A Cognitive Psychology of Mass Communication is the go-to text for any course that adopts a cognitive and psychological approach to the study of mass communication. In its sixth edition, it continues its examination of how our experiences with media affect the way we acquire knowledge about the world, and how this knowledge influences our attitudes and behavior. Using theories from psychology and communication along with reviews of the most up-to-date research, this text covers a diversity of media and media issues ranging from commonly discussed topics, such as politics, sex, and violence, to lesser-studied topics, such as sports, music, emotion, and prosocial media. This sixth edition offers chapter outlines and recommended readings lists to further assist readability and accessibility of concepts, and a new companion website that includes recommended readings, even more real-world examples and activities, PowerPoint presentations, sample syllabi, and an instructor guide.

Preface 1. Mass Communication in Our Wired Society: The Changing Media Landscape 2. Research and Theory in Mass Communication: How Are Media Studied Scientifically 3. The Psychology of Media Use: Tapping into Our Deepest Selves 4. Media Portrayals of Groups: Distorted Social Mirrors 5. Advertising: Baiting, Catching, and Reeling Us In 6. Sports, Music, and Religion: Emotion to the Forefront 7. News: Setting an Agenda About the World 8. Politics: Using News and Advertising to Win Elections 9. Violence: Watching All That Mayhem Really Matters 10. Sex: Is Tuning In Turning Us On?: Sexuality through a Media Lens 11. Socially Positive Media: Teaching Good Things to Children (and the Rest of Us) 12. Responding to Media: Getting Our Two Cents In References Author Index Subject Index

Richard Jackson Harris is Professor of Psychology at Kansas State University in Manhattan KS, where he has taught since 1974. Fred W. Sanborn is Associate Professor of Psychology at North Carolina Wesleyan College, where he teaches a wide range of psychology courses. He is also the founding director of the NCWC's Teaching and Learning Center.