Handbook of Media Use

Prof. Dr. Holger Schramm; Prof. Dr. Volker Gehrau; Prof. Dr. Helena Bilandzic; Prof. Dr. Carsten Wünsch

doi:10.5771/9783748962519

Summary

This handbook offers a comprehensive overview of the subjects and theories of media use research. In 37 contributions, the questions and subjects of the discipline are presented, the current state of research is analysed and an outlook on open questions is given. The contributions thus provide a systematic approach to the state of research on each topic from a communication science perspective. The handbook is divided into four parts: (1) the foundations of media use, (2) questions of media choice and attraction, (3) specific phenomena of media experiences and processes, and (4) the most important contexts of media use. Modern media effects theories can no longer forego analysing media experiences and processes. The handbook therefore examines these phenomena before and during media use in detail. The handbook’s target readership is the broad specialist audience of communication science and its related subjects, such as sociology, psychology, political science, educational science as well as advanced students of these disciplines.

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Bibliographic data

Edition: 1/2026
Copyright year: 2026
ISBN-Print: 978-3-7560-3317-1
ISBN-Online: 978-3-7489-6251-9
Publisher: Nomos, Baden-Baden
Series: NomosHandbuch
Language: English
Pages: 740
Product type: Edited Book

1. Preface to the expanded and revised 2nd edition of the English version of the handbook No access
2. Preface to the expanded and revised 2nd edition of the German version of the handbook No access
3. Preface to the 1st edition of the German version of the handbook No access
1. Jörg Matthes, Sarah Juricek
  1. 1 Introduction: Why do we deal with cognition? No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Definition of cognition No access
    2. 2.2 Basic Model of the Cognitive System No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Perception No access
    2. 3.2 Attention No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Memory as an associative network No access
    2. 1. Functions of schemata No access
      2. Changes to schemata No access
    3. 4.3 Connectionist models No access
    4. 4.4 Mental models No access
    5. 4.5 Memory, retrieval and forgetting No access
    6. 4.6 Memory measurement in media research No access
  5. 5. Summary: Resource allocation in media usage No access
  6. References No access
2. Werner Wirth
  1. 1. The cultural history of emotions No access
  2. 2. Definition and conceptualisation of emotions No access
  3. 3. Emotion theories No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Are emotion theories incompatible? No access
    2. 4.2 How many emotions are there? No access
    3. 4.3 How conscious are emotional processes? No access
    4. 4.4 How situation-specific are emotions? No access
    5. 4.5 Emotion, meta-emotion and emotion regulation No access
  5. 5. Affect research in reception and impact research No access
  6. References No access
3. Denise Sommer, Viktoria Heyer
  1. 1. Action as a basic sociological category No access
  2. 2. Definition: Action and behaviour No access
  3. 1. 1. 3.1.1 Expectancy-value theories No access
      2. 3.1.2 Theories of action control No access
      3. 3.1.3 Specific determinants of media behaviour No access
    2. 1. 3.2.1 Approaches to selection behaviour No access
      2. 3.2.2 Theories of interpretation and interpretation behaviour No access
      3. 3.2.3 Context-orientated approaches No access
    3. 3.3 Integration of theoretical approaches and methodological implications No access
  4. 4. Conclusion No access
  5. References No access
4. Daniel Possler, Anna Sophie Kümpel, Christoph Klimmt
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. Definition of interactivity No access
  3. 3. Interactive media use as a process of continuous selection No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Cognition: Interactivity and information processing No access
    2. 4.2 Motivation: Interactivity and intrinsic motivation No access
    3. 4.3 Affect: Interactivity as an elicitor and amplifier of emotional processes No access
    4. 4.4 Effects of interactivity: Situational and synergistic interaction of cognitive, motivational, and affective processes No access
  5. 5. Conclusion and outlook: Interactivity as an opportunity and challenge for media use research No access
  6. References No access
1. Ralph Weiß
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. Media reception as part of the routines of everyday life No access
  3. 3. Media reception in the mode of routines of perception and habits of feeling No access
  4. 4. Media reception in the shaping of social relationships and identities No access
  5. 5. Conclusion: Everyday life – A ferment of reception research No access
  6. References No access
2. Stephan Niemand, Maren Hartmann
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Context in which the approach arose No access
    2. 2.2 Underlying assumptions and lines of discussion in diffusion research No access
    3. 2.3 Exemplary findings on the diffusion of media technologies No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Context in which the approach arose No access
    2. 3.2 Basic assumptions and lines of discussion in domestication research No access
    3. 3.3 Exemplary findings on the domestication of media technologies No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Balance sheet: Connections and differences No access
    2. 4.2 Reflections on combining diffusion and domestication No access
    3. 4.3 Potential to connect the two approaches in empirical research using the example of inequality and participation No access
  5. 5. Conclusion No access
  6. References No access
3. Marco Dohle
  1. 1. What is motivation? No access
  2. 2. Motivation in the context of media choice No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Motives and their systematisation No access
    2. 3.2 Examples of motive studies and gratification catalogues No access
    3. 3.3 Benefits and problems No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Basic assumptions No access
    2. 1. 4.2.1 Discrepancy Model No access
      2. 4.2.2 Expectancy-Value Model No access
  5. 1. 5.1 Social Cognitive Theory No access
    2. 5.2 Theory of Planned Behaviour No access
    3. 5.3 Informational Utility No access
  6. 6. Conclusion No access
  7. References No access
4. Merja Mahrt
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. Concept and definition of attitudes and values No access
  3. 3. Measurement of attitudes and values No access
  4. 4. Attitudes and behaviour No access
  5. 1. 5.1 The history of selective exposure research No access
    2. 5.2 Intervening factors No access
    3. 5.3 Discussion on the significance of the Theory of Cognitive Dissonance No access
    4. 5.4 Selective exposure in digital contexts No access
    5. 5.5 Values and selective exposure No access
    6. 5.6 Attitudes towards media and media content No access
  6. 6. Outlook No access
  7. References No access
5. Holger Schramm
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Theoretical cornerstones and positioning of Mood Management Theory No access
    2. 2.2 Key points of Mood Management Theory No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Instrumental and eudaimonic driven media choice No access
    2. 3.2 Mood-congruent and -incongruent media choice No access
    3. 3.3 Peri-receptive mood regulation and media choice No access
  4. 4. Conclusion No access
  5. References No access
6. Andreas Fahr
  1. 1. Introduction: What is personality? No access
  2. 2. Central personality factors No access
  3. 3. Research perspectives: Motivation, selection, exposure, impact No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Relationship and functional relationship between personality and media messages No access
    2. 1. Neuroticism/psychoticism No access
      2. Extraversion No access
      3. Openness to experience No access
      4. Agreeableness No access
      5. Conscientiousness No access
      6. Sensation Seeking No access
  5. 5. Outlook No access
  6. References No access
1. Christian Schemer, Klara Langmann, Luisa Gehle
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Definition of judgements and evaluations No access
    2. 1. Cognitive, affective and conative judgement components No access
      2. Judgements by subject area No access
    3. 1. Network presentation of judgement formation No access
      2. Activation and availability of judgements No access
  3. 1. 1. Cognitively complex judgement formation No access
      2. Cognitively superficial judgement formation No access
      3. Selected factors influencing the formation of judgements No access
    2. 3.2 Criticism of judgement models No access
  4. 4. Conclusion and outlook No access
  5. References No access
2. Sophie Lecheler, Svenja Schäfer
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Origins of the theory No access
    2. 2.2 Definitions: Frames, framing, framing effects No access
    3. 2.3 Framing as a process No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Creation of media frames No access
    2. 3.2 Audience frames and individual selection No access
  4. 1. 4.1 The development of the Frame Processing Model No access
    2. 4.2 Accessibility, availability, and belief content No access
    3. 4.3 Emotions in the framing process No access
  5. 5. Conclusion and outlook No access
  6. References No access
3. Anja Kalch, Helena Bilandzic
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. Preferences and media use: Selective use of political media content No access
  3. 1. 1. 3.1.1 Basics No access
      2. 3.1.2 The dissonance motivation as a motivational cue No access
    2. 1. Affective reactions in the Motivated Reasoning Approach No access
        Motivated reasoning and the use of political media content No access
        Motivated reasoning and false information No access
      2. 3.2.2 Lay epistemology No access
      3. 3.2.3 Motivation in the Heuristic-Systematic Model (HSM) No access
  4. 1. 4.1 The role of pre-existing attitudes in filter bubbles and echo chambers No access
    2. 4.2 Fragmentation and polarisation as a result of echo chambers and filter bubbles No access
  5. 5. Conclusion No access
  6. References No access
4. Stephan Schwan
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. Comprehension as a motive for media use No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Comprehension as re-experiencing No access
    2. 3.2 Comprehension as formation of a situation model No access
    3. 3.3 Dimensions of the situation model No access
    4. 3.4 Representation conventions as aids to comprehension No access
    5. 3.5 The “deeper meaning” No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Comprehension processes in multimedia programmes No access
    2. 4.2 Comprehension of multiple documents No access
  5. 5. Summary No access
  6. References No access
5. Anne Bartsch, Freya Sukalla
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 1. Joy No access
      2. Hope No access
      3. Affection No access
    2. 1. Fear No access
      2. Sadness No access
      3. Anger No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Emotional flow No access
    2. 3.2 The influence of cognitive processes on emotions No access
    3. 3.3 Influence of emotions on cognitive processing No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Mixed emotions No access
    2. 4.2 Meta-emotions No access
    3. 4.3 Eudaimonic experiences No access
  5. 5. Summary No access
  6. References No access
6. Tim Wulf
  1. 1. Theories on the influence of individual life experiences and memories on media reception No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Psychological foundations of nostalgia No access
    2. 2.2 Media-induced nostalgia No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Individual effects of media-induced nostalgia No access
    2. 3.2 Collective effects of media-induced nostalgia No access
  4. 4. Summary and outlook No access
  5. References No access
7. Matthias R. Hastall
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Understandings of suspense No access
    2. 2.2 Types of suspense No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Uncertainty and probability No access
    2. 1. Moral judgements about characters No access
      2. Identification, affective dispositions and perspective-taking No access
    3. 3.3 Hope and fear No access
    4. 3.4 Biophysiological aspects of suspense experience No access
    5. 3.5 Attention No access
    6. 3.6 Suspense-promoting media characteristics No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Zillmann: Affective Disposition Theory No access
    2. 4.2 Brewer: Structural Affect Theory No access
    3. 4.3 Mellmann: Suspense as a side effect of experiencing emotions No access
    4. 4.4 Further approaches No access
  5. 5. Measurement of suspense experience No access
  6. 6. Selection and enjoyment of suspenseful media content No access
  7. 1. 7.1 Gender No access
    2. 7.2 Intra-individual differences No access
    3. 7.3 Personality predispositions No access
  8. 8. Outlook No access
  9. References No access
8. Diana Rieger
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. What is inspiration? No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Hedonic and eudaimonic entertainment experience No access
    2. 3.2 Inspiring (self-transcendent) entertainment experiences No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Modelling concepts No access
    2. 4.2 Evocation: Contact with inspiring content and triggers No access
    3. 4.3 Transcendence: Reactions to 'inspiring' media content No access
    4. 4.4 Motivation: Effects No access
  5. 5. Conclusion and outlook No access
  6. References No access
9. Monika Suckfüll
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. The history of psychological aesthetics No access
  3. 3. Perspectives of psychological aesthetics No access
  4. 1. 4.1 The Motivational Psychological Approach No access
    2. 4.2 The Cognitive Psychological Approach No access
  5. 5. Operationalisation of aesthetic emotions No access
  6. 6. Aesthetic experience in the processing of film stimuli No access
  7. 7. The function of aesthetic experiences No access
  8. 8. Conclusion/Outlook No access
  9. References No access
10. Helena Bilandzic
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Definition No access
    2. 2.2 Mechanisms of the flow No access
    3. 2.3 Flow in media activities No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Definition No access
    2. 3.2 Theoretical models No access
    3. 3.3 Factors and mechanisms of narrative engagement No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Definition No access
    2. 4.2 Theoretical models No access
    3. 4.3 Factors and mechanisms of presence No access
  5. 5. Conclusion No access
  6. References No access
11. Zoe Olbermann, Fabian Mayer, Holger Schramm
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. Conceptualisations of involvement – Origins and context of application No access
  3. 1. 3.1 (Ego-) Involvement as a situation-unspecific personality trait No access
    2. 3.2 Involvement as situation (in)specific personal relevance No access
    3. 3.3 Involvement as a situation-specific mode of reception No access
  4. 4. Conclusion and outlook No access
  5. References No access
12. Nicole Liebers-Trappe, Uli Gleich
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Parasocial phenomena No access
    2. 2.2 Facets of parasocial phenomena No access
    3. 2.3 Related and neighbouring constructs No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Circular Process Model and Two-Level Model of Parasocial Interaction No access
    2. 3.2 Relationship Level Model No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Common measurement instruments for recording parasocial interactions No access
    2. 4.2 Investigation of parasocial interactions as a function of prereceptive relationships No access
    3. 4.3 Investigation of parasocial interactions over time No access
  5. 1. 5.1 Predictors of parasocial interactions No access
    2. 5.2 Parasocial interactions in the context of the entertainment experience No access
    3. 5.3 Parasocial interactions in persuasive contexts No access
  6. 6. Conclusion No access
  7. References No access
13. Carsten Wünsch
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Basics of empathy No access
    2. 2.2 Measuring empathy No access
    3. 2.3 Empathy with media characters No access
    4. 1. Media enjoyment No access
      2. Violent content and aggression No access
      3. Persuasion No access
      4. Influence of media use on empathic abilities No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Basics of identification No access
    2. 3.2 Wishful identification No access
    3. 3.3 Measuring identification No access
    4. 1. Persuasion No access
      2. Media enjoyment No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Basics of social comparison No access
    2. 4.2 Measuring social comparison No access
    3. 4.3 Social comparison with media characters No access
    4. 1. Selective attention and processing No access
      2. Reception experience and enjoyment No access
      3. Effects on self-image, self-esteem and mental health No access
  5. 5. Conclusion No access
  6. References No access
14. Özen Odağ
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. References to reality in fiction, non-fiction and hybrid formats No access
  3. 3. Audience credibility expectations and the construction of disbelief No access
  4. 4. Perceived reality and realism No access
  5. 5. Trends and desiderata in realism research No access
  6. References No access
15. Thomas Koch, Magdalena Obermaier
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. From credibility research to trust research in media reception No access
  3. 3. Trust in the media No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Media-related influences on trust in the media No access
    2. 4.2 Social and political influences on trust in the media No access
    3. 4.3 Trust in media as a moderating influence during media use No access
  5. 5. Conclusion No access
  6. References No access
16. Ulrike Schwertberger, Brigitte Naderer
  1. 1. The Theory of Psychological Reactance No access
  2. 2. Boomerang effect No access
  3. 3. Reactance as a situational and attitudinal variable No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Reactance in media use No access
    2. 4.2 Reactance in advertising communication No access
    3. 4.3 Reactance in health communication No access
    4. 4.4 Reactance in environmental communication No access
  5. 5. Conclusion/outlook No access
  6. References No access
17. Teresa K. Naab, Anna Schnauber-Stockmann
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. Content creation options No access
  3. 3. The imagined audience No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Elaboration in anticipation of content generation No access
    2. 4.2 Elaboration during the composition of media content No access
    3. 4.3 Processes after publication No access
    4. 4.4 Feedback effects No access
  5. 5. Conclusion No access
  6. References No access
18. Daniela Schlütz
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. Definition and concept specification No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Motives No access
    2. 3.2 Reception experience and effects No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Methods of data collection No access
    2. 4.2 Approaches to operationalisation No access
  5. 5. Conclusion and desiderata No access
  6. References No access
1. Uwe Hasebrink
  1. 1. Subject area of international comparative research on media use No access
  2. 2. Fundamentals and approaches of international comparative social research No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Technical reach and access No access
    2. 1. 3.2.1 Frequency and duration of use of various media No access
      2. 3.2.2 Selection of foreign or transcultural media offerings No access
      3. 3.2.3 News use No access
    3. 3.3 Meanings of media usage No access
  4. 4. Conclusion and outlook on perspectives for international comparative research on media use No access
  5. References No access
2. Andreas Hepp, Philip Sinner
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 2. How community building relates to media practices No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Interpretive communities No access
    2. 3.2 Families No access
    3. 3.3 Circles of friends, peer groups, and cliques No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Nation and geopolitical region No access
    2. 4.2 Diasporas, fan communities, social movements, and religious communities No access
    3. 4.3 Online communities No access
  5. 5. Current research perspectives: Polymedia, platform collectivities, and technology-related communities No access
  6. References No access
3. Stefanie Averbeck-Lietz, Simon Sax
  1. 1. History of media use as a research desideratum No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Practices of (viewing) and (pre-)reading in the 17th to 20th centuries No access
    2. 1. 2.2.1 The cinema No access
      2. 2.2.2. The radio No access
      3. 2.2.3 Early radio research as a source No access
      4. 2.2.4 Television No access
  3. 1. 3.1 NS state No access
    2. 3.2 GDR No access
  4. 4. Convergent media use in the 21st century as an unfinished development No access
  5. 5. Conclusion No access
  6. References No access
4. Elizabeth Prommer, Christine Linke
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Theoretical perspectives and basic concepts on age and life phases No access
    2. 2.2 Studies on media use in certain phases of life of ageing No access
    3. 2.3 Adolescence and media No access
    4. 2.4 Seniors and media No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Biographical trajectories, the transformation of media repertoires and media practices No access
    2. 3.2 Fractions and inflection points No access
    3. 3.3 Changes in media use and life cycles No access
  4. 4. Conclusion No access
  5. References No access
5. Anne Haage
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Digital disability divide No access
    2. 2.2 Understanding disability and consequences for media use research No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Hearing impairment/deafness No access
    2. 3.2 Visual impairment/blindness No access
    3. 3.3 Cognitive impairments, learning difficulties No access
    4. 3.4 Physical and motor impairments No access
    5. 3.5 Other impairments No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Visual impairment, age and barriers in the media No access
    2. 4.2 People in segregated institutions No access
    3. 4.3 Hearing loss and low education No access
    4. 4.4 Older people with disabilities and online media No access
    5. 4.5 Facilitating factors: Education, younger age and digital media No access
  5. 5. Conclusion No access
  6. References No access
6. Volker Gehrau
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Psychological foundations of media use in groups No access
    2. 2.2 Social foundations of media use in groups No access
    3. 2.3 Communicative foundations of media use in group No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Television viewing in groups No access
    2. 3.2 Media use in families or small groups No access
    3. 3.4 Media use as an event with many people No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Model of Media Use in Groups No access
    2. 4.2 Future directions No access
  5. References No access
7. Veronika Karnowski
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 A brief history of the evolution of mobile communication No access
    2. 2.2 What are mobile media? No access
    3. 2.3 Adoption of mobile devices No access
    4. 2.4 Appropriation and integration into everyday life No access
    5. 2.5 Situational context No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Mobile media and political participation No access
    2. 3.2 Couple and family communication No access
    3. 3.3 Free time, working hours and mobile devices No access
    4. 3.4 Empowerment through mobile devices No access
  4. 4. Outlook No access
  5. References No access
8. Leonard Reinecke, Alicia Gilbert
  1. 1. Introduction: Permanent connectedness No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Technological changes No access
    2. 2.2 Behavioural changes No access
    3. 2.3 Cognitive and motivational changes No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Cognitive effects No access
    2. 3.2 Emotional and motivational effects No access
    3. 3.3 Social impact No access
  4. 4. Conclusion and outlook: Implications and research desiderata No access
  5. References No access
9. Anna Sophie Kümpel
  1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. 1. 2.1 Definitions: Algorithms and algorithmic media environments No access
    2. 2.2 Functions: What algorithms do in the context of media use No access
    3. 2.3 Relevance: Media use in algorithmic environments No access
  3. 1. 3.1 Algorithmic awareness No access
    2. 3.2 Algorithmic sensemaking No access
    3. 3.3 Algorithmic literacy No access
  4. 1. 4.1 Implications of media use in algorithmic environments No access
    2. 4.2 Development and methodological challenges No access
  5. References No access
List of authors No access Pages 725 - 730
Index No access Pages 731 - 740