Strategies: Journal of Theory, Culture & Politics, 2001
Page 1. Strategies, Vol. 14, No. 1, 2001 Converging Channels (of Discourse): Linking Between Tele... more Page 1. Strategies, Vol. 14, No. 1, 2001 Converging Channels (of Discourse): Linking Between Televisual and Digital Networks1 Sheila C. Murphy Merging data structures “Convergence”2 is one of those techno-buzz words ...
ABSTRACT Informed by communication infrastructure theory (CIT) and the social capital approach to... more ABSTRACT Informed by communication infrastructure theory (CIT) and the social capital approach to health, this study focused on the role played by communication hotspots: physical places in a community (e.g., parks, churches, or restaurants) where health information is shared between network actors. By analyzing survey data that included information about communication infrastructure, frequency of health conversations, as well as the size and diversity of respondents’ social networks, this study illustrates how communication hotspots may reduce perceived barriers to healthcare among Latinas in the greater Los Angeles area (N = 780). The results suggest that communication hotspots can influence people’s health by facilitating information-sharing activities. In addition, communication hotspots may reduce perceived barriers to healthcare by bringing together diverse network actors. We conclude by considering future health interventions and policy planning to leverage and enhance community members’ interactions at communication hotspots.
The study examined behavioral, relationship, and serostatus variables that potentially contribute... more The study examined behavioral, relationship, and serostatus variables that potentially contribute to HIV infection risk in three age groups of men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM recruited in West Hollywood, California self-administered a questionnaire measuring unprotected insertive anal intercourse (UIAI) and unprotected receptive anal intercourse (URAI) with primary and nonprimary partners. The following relationship/serostatus variables were also assessed: recency of HIV testing, knowledge of own HIV serostatus, perception of partner's serostatus, seroconcordance (self and partner seronegative), and self-reported monogamy status. The prevalence of UIAI and URAI was higher with primary than nonprimary partners. These sexual risk behaviors with primary partners were substantially more prevalent among men younger than 25 years of age than among men aged 25 to 30 or over age 30. UIAI and URAI with nonprimary partners were uncommon in each age group, and there were no significant age differences on the serostatus and relationship variables. The findings suggest that young MSM may be at elevated risk for contracting HIV by virtue of their sexual risk behavior with primary partners. Targeted interventions for MSM need to address sexual risk in the context of primary relationships.
Strategies: Journal of Theory, Culture & Politics, 2001
Page 1. Strategies, Vol. 14, No. 1, 2001 Converging Channels (of Discourse): Linking Between Tele... more Page 1. Strategies, Vol. 14, No. 1, 2001 Converging Channels (of Discourse): Linking Between Televisual and Digital Networks1 Sheila C. Murphy Merging data structures “Convergence”2 is one of those techno-buzz words ...
ABSTRACT Informed by communication infrastructure theory (CIT) and the social capital approach to... more ABSTRACT Informed by communication infrastructure theory (CIT) and the social capital approach to health, this study focused on the role played by communication hotspots: physical places in a community (e.g., parks, churches, or restaurants) where health information is shared between network actors. By analyzing survey data that included information about communication infrastructure, frequency of health conversations, as well as the size and diversity of respondents’ social networks, this study illustrates how communication hotspots may reduce perceived barriers to healthcare among Latinas in the greater Los Angeles area (N = 780). The results suggest that communication hotspots can influence people’s health by facilitating information-sharing activities. In addition, communication hotspots may reduce perceived barriers to healthcare by bringing together diverse network actors. We conclude by considering future health interventions and policy planning to leverage and enhance community members’ interactions at communication hotspots.
The study examined behavioral, relationship, and serostatus variables that potentially contribute... more The study examined behavioral, relationship, and serostatus variables that potentially contribute to HIV infection risk in three age groups of men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM recruited in West Hollywood, California self-administered a questionnaire measuring unprotected insertive anal intercourse (UIAI) and unprotected receptive anal intercourse (URAI) with primary and nonprimary partners. The following relationship/serostatus variables were also assessed: recency of HIV testing, knowledge of own HIV serostatus, perception of partner's serostatus, seroconcordance (self and partner seronegative), and self-reported monogamy status. The prevalence of UIAI and URAI was higher with primary than nonprimary partners. These sexual risk behaviors with primary partners were substantially more prevalent among men younger than 25 years of age than among men aged 25 to 30 or over age 30. UIAI and URAI with nonprimary partners were uncommon in each age group, and there were no significant age differences on the serostatus and relationship variables. The findings suggest that young MSM may be at elevated risk for contracting HIV by virtue of their sexual risk behavior with primary partners. Targeted interventions for MSM need to address sexual risk in the context of primary relationships.
The study reports on a meta-analysis of attempts to correct misinformation (k = 65). Results indi... more The study reports on a meta-analysis of attempts to correct misinformation (k = 65). Results indicate that corrective messages have a moderate influence on belief in misinformation (r = .35); however, it is more difficult to correct for misinformation in the context of politics (r = .15) and marketing (r = .18) than health (r = .27). Correction of real-world misinformation is more challenging (r = .14), as opposed to constructed misinformation (r = .48). Rebuttals (r = .38) are more effective than forewarnings (r = .16), and appeals to coherence (r = .55) outperform factchecking (r = .25), and appeals to credibility (r = .14).
The study explored the role of second-screen use and binge-watching in moderating entertainment e... more The study explored the role of second-screen use and binge-watching in moderating entertainment education (EE) effects. A pretest/posttest experiment of 273 viewers of East Los High measured the effects of exposure to three subplots, concerning alcohol abuse, abortion, and immigration. The effect of identification with characters on change in attitudes was significantly moderated by second-screen use and binge watching. In particular, second-screening tended to enhance the positive impact of identification; whereas, among respondents who binge watched the show, the effects of identification were weaker.
This study provides evidence for the independent and additive effects of story exploration and ch... more This study provides evidence for the independent and additive effects of story exploration and character customization induced by fictional narratives on causal attribution and support for marginalized groups. In Study 1 (N = 163), participants read a story about a trans-gender teenager. Story exploration influenced identification and narrative engagement, increasing external attribution for the character's negative actions, as well as engendering more positive attitudes toward transgender individuals. Study 2 (N = 116) replicated these results in the context of undocumented immigration. Study 3 (N = 230) focused on a story about a Muslim teenager. Analysis suggested that the strongest impact on causal attribu-tion is achieved by allowing readers to design the main character (i.e., customization) and control the narrative (i.e., exploration).
Despite its long history in communication, scholars continue to debate whether humor enhances or ... more Despite its long history in communication, scholars continue to debate whether humor enhances or undermines persuasive attempts. To better understand the contingencies of humor effects, we conducted a meta-analysis of 89 studies across the various fields in which humor has been researched over time. Overall, humor has a weak and significant effect on persuasion (r = .13). Further, results indicate that humor has a moderate-level influence on knowledge (r = .23) and only a weak impact on attitudes (r = .12) and behavioral intent (r = .09). The analysis supports the dual-processing nature of humorous messages, with related-humor being more effective for highly-involved individuals. Finally, while the analysis did not support the humor sleeper-effect prediction, the results revealed an inverted U-shaped effect of humor intensity on persuasion.
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