A Cognitive Psychology of Mass Communication

The eighth edition of this text remains an indispensable resource for mass communication psychology and media effects courses.
This book gives readers an in-depth understanding of how media affect our attitudes, thinking, and behavior. Continuing its academically rigorous yet student-friendly approach to this subject, the new edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect our current media landscape. Updates include new research and examples for an increasingly global perspective, an increased focus on social media, additional graphics, special end-of-chapter application sections, and an expansion in the list of references to reflect the latest research discussed. The book continues to emphasize the power of media, including social media, in affecting our perceptions of reality. There is also a detailed discussion of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news.
Written in an engaging, readable style, the text is appropriate for graduate or undergraduate students in media psychology, mass communication psychology, and media effects courses.
Accompanying online resources are also available for both students and instructors. For students: chapter outlines, additional review and discussion questions, useful links, and suggested further reading. For instructors: lecture slides, guidelines for in-class discussions, a sample syllabus, chapter summaries, useful links, and suggested further reading. Please visit www.routledge.com/9780367713553.

Fred W. Sanborn is Professor of Psychology at North Carolina Wesleyan University, where he teaches a wide range of psychology courses. He is also the founding director of the NCWC's Teaching and Learning Center and the assistant director of the Honors Program.

Chapter 1. Mass Communication in Our Digital Society: The Changing Media Landscape Chapter 2. Research and Theory in Mass Communication: How Are Media Studied Scientifically? Chapter 3. The Psychology of Mass Communication: Thinking about Our Media Use Chapter 4. Emotions and Media: Applications for Music and Sports Chapter 5. Media Portrayals of Groups: Distorted Social Mirrors Chapter 6. Advertising: Baiting, Catching, and Reeling Us In Chapter 7. News: Setting an Agenda about the World Chapter 8. Politics: Using News and Advertising to Win Elections Chapter 9. Violence: Media Mayhem Matters Chapter 10. Sex: Is Tuning In Turning Us On? Sexuality through a Media Lens Chapter 11. Socially Positive Media: Teaching Good Things to Children (and the Rest of Us)