Media exposure can cause short term and long term effects. Short term effects are immediate and occur during the timeframe of exposure to the form of media. These short term effects can affect thought processes, beliefs, evaluative judgements, attitude, emotions, behavior, and physiological responses. (Potter 2014)
Cognitive processes may be effected by supplying information and implementing new ideas. An example of a short term cognitive effect would be learning the outcome of a sports game or a political election. Another example of a cognitive effect would be learning about a friend’s vacation through photos and captions on Instagram. (Potter 2014) Beliefs may be impacted by reinforcing an individual’s current beliefs and values. A short …show more content…
Unlike short term effects, long term effects are gradual and less noticeable. Cognitive long term effects would consist of absorption and storage of information acquired through media even when the individual’s goal was to simply enjoy media for entertainment purposes. Examples of cognitive long term effects would be a change in what an individual considers what it means to be successful based on all of the information acquired overtime following the career of their favorite athlete. (Potter 2014) Long term effects on beliefs would consist of either reinforcing or changing current beliefs or values. A long term belief effect could be the change in how an individual handles conflict with friends. (Potter 2014) Original attitudes may either be completely altered or strengthened. An example of a change in attitude in the long term would be creating a standard of what it means to be beautiful and attempting to alter one’s body to fit that standard. (Potter 2014) Emotional responses may become desensitized over time. Repeated exposure to violent films may result in decreased emotional reaction to hearing about violent acts in society. (Potter 2014) Additionally, behavior may be affected long term through acquisition of new behaviors as well as by displacement of activities. For an example, an individual could start by spending a few minutes a day playing Candy Crush, but overtime begin to spend every free moment …show more content…
Each one of these factors can cause a deviation from the individual’s established baseline. (Potter 2014) The consumer’s choice of media content may contribute to a fluctuation past the manifestation level. For instance, watching excessive violent programs can contribute to a shift towards the manifestation level. The portrayal of different characters and the context they are set in can impact fluctuations, driving the individual to either accept or reject the character’s action and portrayal. (Potter 2014) The complexity of content can affect how much of the message can be absorbed the viewer. Complex content will have less of an effect on the manifestation stage. The motivation behind the individual’s decision to view a particular form of media is another fluctuation factor. (Potter 2014) An individual might have a particular need or desire to find a piece of information and will use the media to seek it out. (Potter 2014) The emotional and psychological state of a viewer may amplify the effects of media and trigger a shift towards the manifestation stage.(Potter 2014) Additionally, the degree as to which the viewer can identify with a character may initiate a fluctuation based on a viewer’s judgement and attachment to the character. (Potter 2014) Finally, if an individual’s established baseline is too close to the manifestation level, effects may become visible without excessive
Cognitive processes may be effected by supplying information and implementing new ideas. An example of a short term cognitive effect would be learning the outcome of a sports game or a political election. Another example of a cognitive effect would be learning about a friend’s vacation through photos and captions on Instagram. (Potter 2014) Beliefs may be impacted by reinforcing an individual’s current beliefs and values. A short …show more content…
Unlike short term effects, long term effects are gradual and less noticeable. Cognitive long term effects would consist of absorption and storage of information acquired through media even when the individual’s goal was to simply enjoy media for entertainment purposes. Examples of cognitive long term effects would be a change in what an individual considers what it means to be successful based on all of the information acquired overtime following the career of their favorite athlete. (Potter 2014) Long term effects on beliefs would consist of either reinforcing or changing current beliefs or values. A long term belief effect could be the change in how an individual handles conflict with friends. (Potter 2014) Original attitudes may either be completely altered or strengthened. An example of a change in attitude in the long term would be creating a standard of what it means to be beautiful and attempting to alter one’s body to fit that standard. (Potter 2014) Emotional responses may become desensitized over time. Repeated exposure to violent films may result in decreased emotional reaction to hearing about violent acts in society. (Potter 2014) Additionally, behavior may be affected long term through acquisition of new behaviors as well as by displacement of activities. For an example, an individual could start by spending a few minutes a day playing Candy Crush, but overtime begin to spend every free moment …show more content…
Each one of these factors can cause a deviation from the individual’s established baseline. (Potter 2014) The consumer’s choice of media content may contribute to a fluctuation past the manifestation level. For instance, watching excessive violent programs can contribute to a shift towards the manifestation level. The portrayal of different characters and the context they are set in can impact fluctuations, driving the individual to either accept or reject the character’s action and portrayal. (Potter 2014) The complexity of content can affect how much of the message can be absorbed the viewer. Complex content will have less of an effect on the manifestation stage. The motivation behind the individual’s decision to view a particular form of media is another fluctuation factor. (Potter 2014) An individual might have a particular need or desire to find a piece of information and will use the media to seek it out. (Potter 2014) The emotional and psychological state of a viewer may amplify the effects of media and trigger a shift towards the manifestation stage.(Potter 2014) Additionally, the degree as to which the viewer can identify with a character may initiate a fluctuation based on a viewer’s judgement and attachment to the character. (Potter 2014) Finally, if an individual’s established baseline is too close to the manifestation level, effects may become visible without excessive