Television Exposure Not Predictive of Terrorism Fear

Rubin, Alan M.; Haridakis, Paul M.; Hullman, Gwen A.; Sun, Shaojing; Chikombero, P.; Pornsakulvanich, Vikanda

doi:10.1177/073953290302400115

Cited by 20 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Her findings suggest that such images do raise anxiety levels, and also that anger and fear are significantly related to risk estimates and policy preferences. Rubin et al (2003) examined cultivation effects of television exposure on fear of terrorism and whether individual-level differences (i.e., locus of control, victimization experience, and gender) could explain the relationship between media consumption and fear of terrorism. Results indicated that the effect of overall television exposure and terrorism-related television exposure had no effect on fear of terrorism; however, motivation for viewing was significantly related to fear of terrorism.…”

Section: Media Exposure and Fearmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Watching the News Affect Fear of Terrorism? The Importance of Media Exposure on Terrorism Fear

Nellis

Savage

2012

Crime & Delinquency

127

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Several authors have proposed that media hype elevates perceptions of risk and fear of crime. Research suggests that fear of crime is related to the overall amount of media consumption, resonance of news reports, how much attention the individual pays to the news, and how credible he or she believes it to be. The present study examines whether the same applies for terrorism. We use telephone survey data ( N = 532) of New Yorkers and Washingtonians to test whether perceived risk and fear of terrorism are associated with several media-related variables. We find that exposure to terrorism-related news is positively associated with perceived risk of terrorism to self and others and with fear for others, but not for self.

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Section: Media Exposure and Fearmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Watching the News Affect Fear of Terrorism? The Importance of Media Exposure on Terrorism Fear

Nellis

Savage

2012

Crime & Delinquency

127

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“…Attending to real graphic media coverage may serve to exacerbate fear, especially when it depicts random and senseless killings. For example, research conducted in the wake of the 9/11 attacks found that being exposed to terrorism-related stories (Rubin et al, 2003) and watching 3 hr or more of 9/11 coverage daily (Holman & Silver, 2005) was associated with increased fear of being victimized by terrorists. Ultimately, terrorists seek to instill widespread fear and anxiety (Silver & Matthew, 2008) and show that their actions are justified (Winkler, El Damanhoury, Dicker, & Lemieux, 2018) against those with whom they are fighting (O’Neil & Gray, 2011).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Who watches an ISIS beheading—And why.

Redmond¹,

Jones²,

Holman³

et al. 2019

American Psychologist

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In the wake of collective traumas and acts of terrorism, media bring real graphic images and videos to TV, computer, and smartphone screens. Many people consume this coverage, but who they are and why they do so is poorly understood. Using a mixed-methods design, we examined predictors of and motivations for viewing graphic media among individuals who watched a beheading video created by the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). A representative national sample of U.S. residents (N = 3,294) reported whether they viewed a video and why (or why not) via an anonymous survey administered during a 3-year longitudinal study. Accounting for population weights, about 20% of the sample reported watching at least part of a beheading video, and about 5% reported watching an entire video. Increased likelihood of watching a video was associated with demographics (male, unemployed, and Christian), frequency of typical TV watching, and both prior lifetime exposure to violence and fear of future terrorism. Watching at least part of a beheading video was prospectively associated with fear of future negative events and global distress approximately 2 years after the beheading videos went viral. The most common reasons respondents reported for watching a beheading video were information seeking and curiosity. Results suggest attentional vigilance: Preexisting fear and history of violent victimization appear to draw individuals to graphic coverage of violence. However, viewing this coverage may contribute to subsequent fear and distress over time, likely assisting terrorists in achieving their goals.

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“…21 However, other researchers, on the grounds of the data of public opinion polls conducted in the USA, did not establish that watching TV news covering the topic of terrorism could significantly affect the fear perceived by people. 22 It is obvious that the external validity of these two studies is debatable; social experiences in terms of terrorism in both Israel and the USA are unique. On the other hand, these and similar studies have revealed that assessments of military threats are affected by both the socio-demographic characteristics of the individual and the individual's sense of self-efficacy.…”

Section: Overview Of the Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the Mass Media on the Assessment of Military Threats

Šumskas¹,

Matonytė²

2018

Lithuanian Annual Strategic Review

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On the grounds of the theories of the use of the mass media, the authors analyse concepts and assessments of military threats. The analysis is based on the data of representative public opinion polls (conducted in spring 2016 by Vilmorus, N = 1004). The research shows that certain qualities of individual political competence strengthen the impact of the media, that the tabloid press, Russian TV and the quality press affect concepts of military threats, and that sets of factors shaping the concepts of various military threats are different. The extent of the mass media impact is influenced mostly by an individual’s ethnic background, education, income, participation in elections, political education, inter-personal communication on political topics as well as a leftist-rightist self-identification.

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Television Exposure Not Predictive of Terrorism Fear

Abstract: This study of university undergraduates examined the role of television coverage of terrorism in perpetuating fright and fear following the Sept. 11 attacks. Viewer characteristics, rather than television exposure, were the most consistent predictors of fear, safety and faith in others.

Cited by 20 publications

References 0 publications

Does Watching the News Affect Fear of Terrorism? The Importance of Media Exposure on Terrorism Fear

Does Watching the News Affect Fear of Terrorism? The Importance of Media Exposure on Terrorism Fear

Who watches an ISIS beheading—And why.

Impact of the Mass Media on the Assessment of Military Threats

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