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This study considered two models of the effects of sexually explicit materials: a liberal model that holds that erotica is beneficial and has few negative effects and a feminist social responsibility model that believes that use of sexually explicit materials contributes to negative beliefs about women. This study tested the contribution of reasons for using sexually explicit materials to beliefs in gender-role stereotypes about women and sexual conservatism, and acceptance of rape myths. Questionnaires were completed by 569 college students. Four motives for using erotica were identified: Sexual Enhancement, Diversion, Sexual Release, and Substitution. Sexual Enhancement was positively related to holding stereotyped and conservative beliefs about women and sex. Diversion and Sexual Enhancement were also indirectly related to greater acceptance of rape myths. Sexual Release was negatively linked and substitution was positively linked to acceptance of rape myths. The discussion highlights areas of support for the two models and points out the importance of future research to mitigate the effects of exposure.

This study filled gaps in previous research on audience activity by focusing on the temporal dimension of audience activity in the newer media environment. Specifically, this study considered two types of selectivity: program selection before exposure and changing channels while viewing. This study included four indications of audience involvement: intentionality, or anticipating television viewing; attention, or focused cognitive effort; elaboration, or thinking about program content; and engaging in distractions while viewing. Because the newer media environment provides more program choice, 342 cable subscribers who also owned remote-control devices completed questionnaires. Partial correlations indicated that selectivity and involvement were not necessarily consistent across time. But more salient viewing motives are linked to more preexposure activity. Canonical correlation revealed that instrumental use is marked by higher levels of activity before exposure and involvement during exposure. Ritualistic television use is reflected in higher selectivity before and during exposure but less involvement during exposure. The discussion focuses on implications of these findings for gratification-seeking activity and media effects.

This study focused on the gratifications of some of the newer television technologies. Specifically we expected that cable television, videocassette recorders, and remote control devices would increase the gratifications people receive from watching television and the satisfaction they derive from television use. Telephone interviews were completed with 615 respondents in a Midwestern town. There was only limited support for our expectations. Use of new technologies had an impact on receiving, pass-the-time, and companionship gratifications from television viewing. Instrumental viewing motives, television exposure, and receiving informational gratifications from television viewing were the strongest predictors of television satisfaction. The discussion relates these findings to the ambiguous meanings that the new technologies have in U.S. society.

The aim of this investigation was to contrast the contribution of chronological age and contextual age (physical health, life satisfaction, economic security, mobility, social activity, and interaction) in explaining elders' motives for communicating with others. A sample of 49- to 89-year-old adults (N = 272) completed self-administered questionnaires. Results indicated that contextual age was more important than chronological age in determining the interpersonal motives of elders. Those with a positive life position, that is, greater life satisfaction and higher levels of social activity, reported pleasure and affection as reasons for communicating with others. Elders who were less mobile, healthy, and socially active communicated to seek control or comfort. As in previous research using the Interpersonal Communication Motives scale (ICM), there were differences in communication motives due to gender. Women reported using communication primarily for emotionally expressive reasons, whereas men reported using communication for more instrumentally controlling ones. The interpersonal communication motives of elders differed some-what from the motives of broader range samples. In our study, respondents communicated for pleasure, comfort, affection, and control. Elders did not report escape as a salient reason for communicating with others.

This study investigates the impact of socioeconomic status (SES), perceived utility indicators, and news media use on public affairs knowledge. A LISREL model was used to evaluate various theoretical arguments that have been used to account for public affairs knowledge. Results reveal that SES was significantly linked to knowledge through each of the aforementioned factors. In addition, we located a strong direct SES effect on public affairs knowledge.