Media Effects: Theory and Research

Annual Review of Psychology

Patti M. Valkenburg

Jochen Peter

Joseph B. Walther

This review analyzes trends and commonalities among prominent theories of media effects. On the basis of exemplary meta-analyses of media effects and bibliometric studies of well-cited theories, we identify and discuss five features of media effects theories as well as their empirical support. Each of these features specifies the conditions under which media may produce effects on certain types of individuals. Our review ends with a discussion of media effects in newer media environments. This includes theories of computermediated communication, the development of which appears to share a similar pattern of reformulation from unidirectional, receiver-oriented views, to theories that recognize the transactional nature of communication. We conclude by outlining challenges and promising avenues for future research

67

1

315-338

2016-01-04

en

10.1146/annurev-psych-122414-033608

0066-4308, 1545-2085

Media Effects