Picture: Getty Images. Source: news.com.au
Interesting article that addresses the issue of media effects and popular movies. In general, people do not process media messages as thoroughly as they would, say, a written news article. In the words of the study’s lead author, “Viewers come expecting to be entertained and are not prepared to encounter and evaluate political messages as they would during campaign advertisements or network news.”
According to this article, “Watching sentimental films can have a greater influence on a person’s political opinions than advertising or news reports, according to new research...’Media effects research has generally ignored the possibility that popular films can affect political attitudes.'” (Emphasis mine)
Hollywood, D.C. 