Journal article
The effects of two reality explanations on children's reactions to a frightening movie scene
Communication monographs, Vol.58(3), pp.307-326
09/01/1991
DOI: 10.1080/03637759109376232
Abstract
This experiment assesses the effectiveness of two reality explanations on children's reactions to a frightening program. Children from two age groups (5-6 vs. 7-9 years) were assigned to one of three conditions before watching a frightening movie scene: special tricks explanation, real life explanation, or no explanation. Results revealed that neither of the reality instructions influenced younger children's emotional or cognitive reactions to the program. In contrast, the special tricks explanation reduced older children's emotional responses to the movie, but had no impact on their interpretations of the program. Unexpectedly, the real life explanation did not influence older children's emotional reactions, and had only a limited effect on interpretations of the program. The findings are discussed in terms of developmental differences in perceived reality.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The effects of two reality explanations on children's reactions to a frightening movie scene
- Creators
- Barbara J Wilson - Assistant professor of communication , University of CaliforniaAudrey J Weiss - Ph.D. student at University of California
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Communication monographs, Vol.58(3), pp.307-326
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group
- DOI
- 10.1080/03637759109376232
- ISSN
- 0363-7751
- eISSN
- 1479-5787
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/1991
- Academic Unit
- President; Communication Studies
- Record Identifier
- 9984105800502771
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