A Cognitive Psychology of Mass Communication

By Richard Jackson Harris, Fred Sanborn, Fred W. Sanborn

Book Overview

The updated edition of a textbook on the role of mass communication in the formation of perceived reality, for mass communication processes and effects course. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415993113
• ISBN13: 9780415993111
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.0" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

A useful introduction to media psychology

This is the 4th edition of this volume. Harris provides a nice overview to media psychology. I think the book is mistitled because it does not really deal with cognitive psychology (as a cognitive psychologist would define it). For example, there is limited discussion of factors influencing attention to TV or the cognitive representation of media stories or even how media stories are comprehended. Rather, the book really looks at social psychological approaches to the media (e.g., models of advertising effectiveness, motivations for watching TV, effects of TV violence etc). The volume is an excellent introduction to what is often referred to as media psychology, but I do think it is mistitled. Also, there are topics that are missing from the volume. For example, there is a growing research literature on factors influencing the entertainment value of a TV show or movie and that literature is not discussed in this book. I do use it as a textbook in a undergraduate seminar I teach and the students generally enjoy the book, but it is a textbook, but it does an excellent job at introducing readers to the psychological study of the media.

A must for any mass communication scholar

This is one of the best texts on the effects, either real or imagined, of mass communication on its consumers. Texts on research can be hard to get through. However, Richard Jackson Harris takes years of scholarly writings from the classic "Bobo Doll Study" to the latest in mass communication research and provides the reader with one of the most objective, comprehensive, witty and easy-to-read texts this subject. For any mass communication scholar or practitioner, this is an absolute must read. I have written several research papers throughout college and graduate school, and this book was an indespensible tool. If communication is your thing, get it now!