Who's afraid of reality shows? Exploring the effects of perceived influence of reality shows and the concern over their social effects on willingness to censor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study explores the dynamics of social concern over reality shows. Couched in the theory of the influence of presumed influence, it is argued that the degree of concern over the effects of media mediates between beliefs in media power and people's responses to such beliefs. Survey data show that perceived influence is distinct from concern over effects. Furthermore, the authors show that perceived influence predicts willingness to censor reality shows but that, in addition to this direct effect, there is an indirect effect through the degree of concern over the effects of reality shows. This indirect effect adds to the overall predictive value of the model. Results are discussed in terms of their contribution to explaining the influence of presumed influence.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)382-397
Number of pages16
JournalCommunication Research
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2008

Keywords

  • Censorship
  • Concern
  • Perceived influence
  • Reality shows
  • Third person effect

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Language and Linguistics
  • Communication
  • Linguistics and Language

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