Titles with Aresta: The Media's Impact on children: A Handbook for Parents, Educators and Policymakers
My research focuses on understanding how and why entertainment media influence individuals. I am also interested in how interactions with others, during or after TV exposure, can change the viewing experience and enhance positive and/or negative outcomes. Much of my research has focused on young people and developmental differences in media effects. For instance, I have conducted several studies on children’s emotional reactions to news and entertainment programming as well as age-related differences in parents’ use of coping strategies to alleviate their child’s TV news induced fears. My most recent research aims to explain the prosocial effects of entertainment television content. For example, I am currently looking at the effects of entertainment-education television on young adults’ risky sexual behavior and related discussions with others.
My teaching interests are very closely aligned with my research. I enjoy teaching classes on media effects, children and media, research methods, and others. In particular, I appreciate the fresh perspective that students often bring to the content. Overall, my approach to teaching focuses on helping students understand communication concepts, research, and theories in a way that is relevant to their everyday lives and careers.
When I’m not in the classroom or working on research I am a bit of a media junkie as well as a nature lover. I love movies, live music, and television and often come up with new research ideas while using media. I also enjoy spending time outdoors, especially hiking in the mountains.
