Transcript 2012_PP media - Beauchamp Psychology

Media influences on addictive
behaviour
Think about these questions :
• Who/what in the media might influence us? Why?
• Identify as many forms of media as you can.
• Are certain types of people more susceptible to media
•
•
influences than others?
What other factors are involved in whether a
substance/behaviour may become an addiction for an
individual?
Do the media glamorise or encourage addiction? If so,
how?
• Atkin and Block (1981) – no relationship
between exposure to TV advertising of alcohol
and teenagers consumption
• This shows that…
• A02 – problem with research?
• Furthermore, Charlton (1986) found that
children who could name a favourite
brand of cigarette were no more likely to
smoke than those who could not identify a
brand
• This supports the idea that…
• Tucker (1985) – in a study of 400
adolescent boys, those who watched more
TV consumed more alcohol
• A02 – contradictory research
• A02 – quality of evidence
• A02 – population/sample
• To correct methodological problems: Rychtarik
et al (1983) – lab experiment
• Showed children an episode of M*A*S*H
• Either: viewed episode with drinking scenes or
same episode with drinking scenes deleted
• After film: children either chose alcohol or water
to serve to a thirsty adult
• Children who watched full episode were more
likely to choose alcoholic drink
• A02 – doesn’t tell us about direct effect on
children
• A02 – methodological issues
• Boon and Lomore (2001) – 75% of young
adults have had a strong attachment to a
celebrity
• 59% were affected by idols attitudes and
beliefs
• What does this show about the role of the
media and addiction?
• A02 – support from theories/models of
addiction
• SLT suggests that…
• Link to media
• Research suggests that media representation of smoking
does influence teenagers to take up the habit. Waylen et
•
al examined 360 of the top US box office films released
between 2001 and 2005, including those (such as
Bridget Jones Diary) that depicted smoking. They found
teenagers who watched films showing actors smoking
were more likely to start smoking themselves. Even after
controlling for social factors such as whether their
parents or peers smoked, the researchers found a
significant relationship between adolescent smoking and
the number of films they had seen depicting smoking.
A02 - This has led to the suggestion that in order to cut
the numbers of young smokers, films containing scenes
of people smoking should be given an 18 certificate.
Conclusion
• Overall influence of media difficult to
interpret
• Effects of media may be small compared
to other factors (e.g.…)
• Cannot conclude that media alone causes
addictive behaviour – may be some
individuals are more susceptible due to
individual differences or mediating factors
Homework
• Make extra notes on the role of the media
and addiction from your textbook to bring
to next week’s lesson.