The SAGE Handbook of Media Processes and Effects

<p>The study of media processes and effects is one of the most central to the discipline of communication and encompasses a vast array of theoretical perspectives methodological tools and applications to important social contexts. In light of this importance-as well as the rapid changes in the media environment that have occurred during the past 20 years-this <strong>Handbook </strong>explores where media effects research has been over the past several decades and equally important contemplates where it should go in the years ahead. <br /><br /><strong>COVERAGE </strong></p><ul><li><strong>Part I </strong>offers an overview of the field and conceptualizations of media effects along with a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies used in the study of media effects. </li><li><strong>Part II</strong> focuses on prominent theoretical approaches to the study of media effects from a more societal perspective tracing their historical contexts theoretical developments criticisms and controversies and the impact of the new media environment on current and future research. </li><li><strong>Part III</strong> emphasizes the various factors that influence the critical functions of message selection and processing central to a host of mass media application contexts. </li><li><strong>Part IV</strong> reflects a dominant trend in the media effects literature-that of persuasion and learning-and traces related theoretical perspectives through the various contexts in which media may have such effects. </li><li><strong>Part V </strong>explores the contexts and audiences that have been traditional foci of media effects research such as children violence body image and race addressing the theories most applicable to those contexts. </li><li><strong>Part VI </strong>highlights a concern central and unique to the communication discipline-message medium-and how it influences effects ranging from what messages are attended to how we spend our time and even how we think.</li></ul>