20th Century Media and the American Psyche

<p>This innovative text bridges media theory psychology and interpersonal communication by describing how our relationships with media emulate the relationships we develop with friends and romantic partners through their ability to replicate intimacy regularity and reciprocity. </p><p>In research-rich conversational chapters the author applies psychological principles to understand how nine influential media technologies—theatrical film recorded music consumer market cameras radio network and cable television tape cassettes video gaming and dial-up internet service providers—irreversibly changed the communication environment culture and psychological expectations that we then apply to future media technologies. With special attention to mediums absent from the traditional literature including recorded music cable television and magnetic tape this book encourages readers to critically reflect on their own past relationships with media and consider the present environment and the future of media given their own personal habits.</p><p>20th Century Media and the American Psyche is ideal for media studies communication and psychology students scholars and industry professionals as well as anyone interested in a greater understanding of the psychological significance of media technology usage and adoption across the past 150 years. </p>