Media Entertainment: The Psychology of Its Appeal

by Dolf Zillmann (Editor), Peter Vorderer (Editor)

Overview

This collection represents a systematic exploration of media entertainment from an academic perspective. Editors Zillmann and Vorderer have assembled scholars from psychology, sociology, and communication to provide a broad examination of the primary function of media entertainment—the attainment of gratification. Chapters included here address vital aspects of media entertainment and summarize pertinent findings, providing an overview of what is presently known about the appeal and function of the essential forms of media entertainment, and offering some degree of integration. Written in a clear, non-technical style, this volume provides a lively and entertaining study of media entertainment for academic study and coursework.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780805833256
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/01/2000
Series:	Routledge Communication Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	294
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dolf Zillmann, Peter Vorderer

Table of Contents

Contents: Preface. D. Zillmann, The Coming of Media Entertainment. P. Vorderer, Interactive Entertainment and Beyond. D. Zillmann, Humor and Comedy. P. Vorderer, S. Knobloch, Conflict and Suspense in Drama. G.G. Sparks, C.W. Sparks, Violence, Mayhem, and Horror. B.S. Greenberg, L. Hofschire, Sex on Entertainment Television. G. Bente, A. Feist, Affect-Talk and Its Kin. P.M. Valkenburg, J. Cantor, Children's Likes and Dislikes of Entertainment Programs. J. Bryant, A.A. Raney, Sports on the Screen. C.H. Hansen, R.D. Hansen, Music and Music Videos. T. Grodal, Video Games and the Pleasures of Control. M.B. Oliver, The Respondent Gender Gap. J.B. Weaver, III, Personality and Entertainment Preferences. G.C. Cupchick, S. Kemp, The Aesthetics of Media Fare.

Editorial Reviews

Media Entertainment: The Psychology Of Its Appeal focuses on an empirical exploration and analysis of media entertainment's appeal to those seeking and experiences diversion, relaxation, excitement, amusement, bewilderment, and other alterations of prevailing experiential states and emotional responses. Dolf Zillmann and Peter Vorderer effectively collaborate to compile fourteen outstanding, informative, and highly recommended essays by experts in the field. These include: The Coming of Media Entertainment (Dolf Zillmann); Interactive Entertainment and Beyond (Peter Vorderer); Humor and Comedy (Dolf Zillmann); Conflict and Suspense in Drama (Peter Vorderer & Silvia Knobloch); Violence, Mayhem, and Horror (Glenn G. Sparks & Cheri W. Sparks); Sex on Entertainment Television (Bradley S. Greenberg & Linda Hofschire); Affect-Talk and Its Kin (Gary Bente & Ansgar Feist); Children's Likes and Dislikes of Entertainment Programs (Patti M. Valkenburg & Joanne Cantor); Sports on the Screen (Jennings Bryant & Arthur A. Raney); Music and Music Videos (Christine H. Hansen & Ronald D. Hansen); Video Games and the Pleasures of Control (Torben Grodal); The Respondent Gender Gap (Mary Beth Oliver); Personality and Entertainment Preferences (James B. Weaver III); The Aesthetics of Media Fare (Gerald C. Cupchick & Stephen Kemp). Enhanced with both an author index and a subject index, Media Entertainment is invaluable, informative reading for students of mass media and the popular culture.

"Zillmann and Vorderer offer a remarkable collection of articles exploring the state of empirical knowledge about contemporary popular media....What makes this book very appealing is not only the breadth of the coverage of all forms of media entertainment but also its depth of data and its application to many Western cultures....A must for all media collections because of its thoroughness and its careful examination and interpretation of pertinent research data."
—CHOICE

"Dolf Zillmann and Peter Vorderer effectively collaborate to compile fourteen outstanding, informative, and highly recommended essays by experts in the field....Enhanced with both an author index and a subject index, Media Entertainment is invaluable, informative reading for students of mass media and the popular culture."
—The Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher