Surveys and experiments are the two main quantitative techniques used to study the effects of mass communication.
Media can serve as socialization forces when they are the primary sources of information about a topic and that information is presented in a consistent manner.
Media can cultivate false perceptions of reality among some heavy users.
TV ads directed at children can influence attitudes and perceptions about certain products.
The media can set the priority of certain issues for the public.
TV violence shows a small but persistent correlation with antisocial behavior among heavy viewers.
Experiments have shown that TV can produce prosocial behavior, and some evidence of this effect has been found in surveys.
The media are more effective in reinforcing or crystallizing a person's voting choice. TV has had a significant impact on the conduct of politicians and political campaigns.
The main topics of research concerning the Internet are its effects on the usage of other media and the relationship between social isolation and online media use.
Other concerns about the effects of mass communi-cations focus on the areas of privacy, isolation, and escape.
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