Overview

Introduction to Positive Media Psychology summarizes and synthesizes the key concepts, theories, and empirical findings on the positive emotional, cognitive, and behavioral effects of media use. In doing so, the book offers the first systematic overview of the emerging field of positive media psychology. The authors draw on a growing body of scholarship that explores the positive sides of media use, including fostering one’s own well-being; creating greater connectedness with others; cultivating compassion for those who may be oppressed or stigmatized; and motivating altruism and other prosocial actions. The authors explore these issues across the entire media landscape, examining the ways that varying content (e.g., entertainment, news) delivered through traditional (e.g., film, television) and more recent media technologies (e.g., social media, digital games, virtual reality) can enhance well-being and promote other positive outcomes in viewers and users. This book serves as a benchmark of theory and research for current and future generations of advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and scholars in communication, psychology, education, and social work.

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9780367373900

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Reviews

Introduction to Positive Media Psychology made me want to go to college again. To learn about all the ways in which media can be used for good, to inspire and connect us as humans, is what I greatly missed back then. This textbook lays out a positive, hope-inspiring media landscape that is firmly grounded in scientific research. It squares the circle of presenting the state of the art of an exciting new research field in plain language with instructive examples. For students and scholars alike, it will serve as the leading authoritative source on the topic. -Anne Bartsch, University of Leipzig, Germany Probably no other perspective has stimulated media effects and media entertainment research as strongly over the past decade as the advent of positive media psychology. The present textbook provides a dearly needed integration of this fast-developing field. The authors are among the leading scholars who have crucially defined this research area and possess a unique expertise. The volume provides an excellent introduction to media psychology both to advanced undergraduate and graduate students and a well-structured overview to more senior scholars. I am confident that it will leave a lasting footprint and provide fertile ground for future scholarship in this field. -Leonard Reinecke, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany

Introduction to Positive Media Psychology made me want to go to college again. To learn about all the ways in which media can be used for good, to inspire and connect us as humans, is what I greatly missed back then. This textbook lays out a positive, hope-inspiring media landscape that is firmly grounded in scientific research. It squares the circle of presenting the state of the art of an exciting new research field in plain language with instructive examples. For students and scholars alike, it will serve as the leading authoritative source on the topic. -Anne Bartsch, University of Leipzig, Germany Probably no other perspective has stimulated media effects and media entertainment research as strongly over the past decade as the advent of positive media psychology. The present textbook provides a dearly needed integration of this fast-developing field. The authors are among the leading scholars who have crucially defined this research area and possess a unique expertise. The volume provides an excellent introduction to media psychology both to advanced undergraduate and graduate students and a well-structured overview to more senior scholars. I am confident that it will leave a lasting footprint and provide fertile ground for future scholarship in this field. -Leonard Reinecke, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany

Author Information

Arthur A. Raney is James E. Kirk Professor of Communication in the School of Communication at Florida State University, USA. Sophie H. Janicke-Bowles is Assistant Professor in the School of Communication at Chapman University, USA. Mary Beth Oliver is Distinguished Professor and co-director of the Media Effects Research Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University, USA. Katherine R. Dale is Assistant Professor in the School of Communication at Florida State University, USA.

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