-
Understanding Media Psychology
-
Understanding Media Psychology
by Gayle S. Stever, David C. Giles, J. David Cohen, and Mary E. Myers
Understanding Media Psychology is the perfect introductory textbook to the growing field of media psychology and its importance in society, summarizing key concepts and theories to provide an overview of topics in the field.
Media is present in almost every area of life today, and is an area of study that will only increase in importance as the world becomes ever more interconnected. Written by a team of expert authors, this book will help readers to understand the structures, influences and theories around media psychology...
Read More -
The Psychology of Celebrity
-
Why are we fascinated by celebrities we’ve never met? What is the difference between fame and celebrity? How has social media enabled a new wave of celebrities?
The Psychology of Celebrity explores the origins of celebrity culture, the relationships celebrities have with their fans, how fame can affect celebrities, and what shapes our thinking about celebrities we admire. The book also addresses the way in which the media has been and continues to be an outlet for celebrities, culminating in the role of social media, reality television, and technology in our modern society.
Drawing on research featuring real life celebrities from the Kardashians to Michael Jackson, The Psychology of Celebrity shows us that celebrity influence can have both positive and negative outcomes and the impact th...
Read More -
Chapter: Real Characters – The psychology of parasocial relationships with media characters
-
edited by Karen E. Shackleford PhD, published January 4, 2021
Gayle S. Stever: How Do Parasocial Relationships with Celebrities Contribute to Our Development Across the Lifespan?
Review here
More information here
Read More -
Evolutionary Psychology and Mass Media
-
by Gayle S. Stever, November 2020
In book: The Sage Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology (pp.398). Publisher: Sage Link to article.
Evolutionary theory as it relates to media psychology is often controversial (Grabe, 2011). A fundamental tenet relating the two fields posits that because our species has not had time, in an evolutionary sense, to adapt to media, we process mediated stimuli as if it were real (Reeves and Nass, 1996). So much violence is consumed through media that we as a society suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD; Restak, 1991). For example, a media portrayal of sexual assault can be a trigger for one’s own past experiences, possibly as powerful as perceiving such an event in real life...
-
Fan studies in psychology: A road less traveled
-
by Gayle S. Stever, September 15, 2019
Transformative Works and Cultures, Vol. 30
This article describes the methods and materials used in my various studies of fan cultures in the years from 1988 to 2018. It delineates a mixed methods/multi-perspectivist approach and describes the process by which fan groups were selected and studied. Contrary to the concept of “aca-fan,” an academic who studies a fan group of which she or he is already a part, this article describes the engagement of a number of fan groups with whom I was not already involved. I traveled throughout North American and Europe in order to observe fan behavior across the lifespan and across a number of different cultures . Both pop star musicians’ fans and television fans were included...
Read More -
Theorizing Development of Parasocial Engagement
-
by Riva Tukachinsky, Gayle Stever, December 15, 2018
Communication Theory, Volume 29, Issue 3, August 2019, Pages 297–318
The article proposes a theoretical model of the development of parasocial relationships (PSRs) building on Knapp’s model of relationship development. Through synthesis of research across disciplines, the model conceptualizes the relational goals and parasocial interactions (PSIs) specific to the PSR. The model identifies variables that predict engagement at that level, describes the stage’s outcomes/effects, and considers the utility of existing measures to assess these stages. The conceptualization of PSRs as a dynamic process rather than intensity of a monolithic experience offers new directions worthy of empirical examination.
Read More -
Conference Paper: Theorizing development of parasocial experiences.
-
by Riva Tukachinsky, Gayle S. Stever, May 2018
International Communication Association
The manuscript proposes an overarching theoretical model of parasocial experiences including parasocial interactions (PSIs), relationships (PSRs) and attachment (PSA). Building on Knapp’s model of relationship development, the model describes stages of media consumers’ development of PSRs with media figures from initiation (i.e., first encounter with the media persona) to integration (development of secondary attachment). Through synthesis of research across disciplines, the model conceptualizes the relational goals at each stage of the PSR, identifies variables that predict engagement at this level, and describes this stage’s outcomes/effects. PSIs specific to the PSR at each stage are discussed...
Read More -
Chapter: Social Media and Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development
-
by Lorraine Lander and Gayle S. Stever, September 2017
Handbook of Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development
The United Nations’ sustainable development goals cover a broad range of global problems and reaching those goals will require effort and education. Lifelong learning has become an essential part of modern life with rapidly changing technology, globalization, and increased urbanization, as well as environmental changes and the rise of green careers. Given the importance of sustainable development and global changes, it is important to identify effective ways of educating toward the UN’s goals...
Read More -
Conference Paper: Social Media and Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development
-
by Lorraine Lander and Gayle S. Stever, March 2017
World Symposium on Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals cover a broad range of global problems and reaching those goals will require effort and education. Lifelong learning has become an essential part of modern life with rapidly changing technology, globalization, and increased urbanization, as well as environmental changes and the rise of green careers. Given the importance of sustainable development and global changes, it is important to identify effective ways of educating toward the UN’s goals...
Read More -
Chapter: Parasocial Theory: Concepts and Measures
-
by Gayle S. Stever, March 2017
The International Encyclopedia of Media Effects
Parasocial interaction (PSI) describes nonreciprocated audience interactions with media personae. These interactions are, in many ways, like face-to-face interactions with the caveat that the response normally expected from a social partner is missing. Parasocial theory describes and attempts to explain imagined social relationships and interactions with people who are distant from us and who do not reciprocate individual communication or interest...
Read More