Psychology of Television and Other Media

Psychology of Media and Media Literacy
Research Team 7
Supervised by Cynthia Scheibe
Office: 115-B

This research team is part of the Center for Research on the Effects of Television (CRETV), conducting research concerning television and social cognition, especially as it relates to social and cognitive development in children. Projects generally involve both content analyses of TV programs and/or commercials, and corresponding studies of television effects. Current projects include: studies of messages about gender, weight and appearance on children's shows, teen shows, sitcoms and commercials; the impact of television and other media messages on false nutritional beliefs of children; and the effectiveness of media literacy interventions in K-12 education. Empirical studies typically involve subjects of different ages, but with an emphasis on elementary school aged children. Team members are involved in the ongoing collection and analysis of TV programs and commercials as part of the CRETV Archive. Students also work closely with Project Look Sharp (http://www.ithaca.edu/looksharp) to develop curriculum materials for elementary school classes about advertising, nutrition, safety, respect, and responsibility.