Feldman and Sigelman, in their study “The Political Impact of Prime-Time Television: The Day After”, attempted to answer the question, “[w]hat effects did watching The Day After have?” (557) Moreover, the authors attempted to determine the effects of prime-time television on political opinion (557). Previous research communicated varied results, with some media affecting individual opinion, such as The Right Stuff, while other media failed to empower any substantive modification to political opinion, such as The Candidate (558). Yet, the authors described a potentiality for television to change under-developed opinion within The Day After (559). The films narrow scope, the aftermath of nuclear war, had the possibility of not only serve to raise consciousness regarding the issue, but also increase a viewers’ concern
…show more content…
Finally, the authors attempted to assess the effect of perceived realism and viewer knowledgeability in reference to the topic (560). In reference to realism, the authors hypothesized that an audience’s acceptance of a program’s realism may affect viewers’ attitudes, cognitions, and concerns (561). Similarly, Feldman and Sigelman hypothesized that television was unlikely to change the political opinion of a well-informed viewer, while it may “imprint” a message on an ill-informed spectator (561).
The byproducts of the film The Day After, which include media coverage and personal discussion, had significant effects on individual opinions (571). These modifications include greater support for U.S. – Soviet arms limitation, increased concern over Nuclear War and Knowledge of Nuclear War, increased concern over Relations with Russia, and an increase in Thinking about Nuclear War among those who did not watch the movie (571-572). Yet, The Day After itself produced little
Finally, the authors attempted to assess the effect of perceived realism and viewer knowledgeability in reference to the topic (560). In reference to realism, the authors hypothesized that an audience’s acceptance of a program’s realism may affect viewers’ attitudes, cognitions, and concerns (561). Similarly, Feldman and Sigelman hypothesized that television was unlikely to change the political opinion of a well-informed viewer, while it may “imprint” a message on an ill-informed spectator (561).
The byproducts of the film The Day After, which include media coverage and personal discussion, had significant effects on individual opinions (571). These modifications include greater support for U.S. – Soviet arms limitation, increased concern over Nuclear War and Knowledge of Nuclear War, increased concern over Relations with Russia, and an increase in Thinking about Nuclear War among those who did not watch the movie (571-572). Yet, The Day After itself produced little