Date of Award
8-2012
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Legacy Department
Rhetorics, Communication, and Information Design
Committee Chair/Advisor
Denham, Bryan
Committee Member
Billings , Andrew
Committee Member
Mainella , Fran
Committee Member
Schmalz , Dorothy
Abstract
ADOLESCENT PERCEPTIONS OF DIGITAL PLAY:
A STUDY IN THIRD-PERSON EFFECTS
ABSTRACT
With the third-person effect as a conceptual framework, this study examined perceived effects of digital media and electronic devices among charter high school students in the Southeastern United States. In studying third-person perceptions, the study built on research by Schmierbach, Boyle, Xu and McLeod (2011), who analyzed perceived effects of digital gaming among college students.
In addition to items addressing the positive and negative effects of digital media and electronic devices, participants in the current research responded to questions about time spent exercising and in the outdoors, time spent on video games, and participation in virtual social communities, as well as to questions about the presence of household rules governing media use.
Overall, results indicated a consistent presence of third-person effects among the high school students who agreed to participate in the study. Female students, in particular, indicated relatively unhealthy effects of digital media and electronic devices on others, while males tended to estimate slightly lower levels of negative effects. The study found limited support for the notion that individuals who spend more time outdoors perceive relatively negative effects of digital media and electronic devices, and females who spent time in virtual social communities identified slightly lower levels of adverse effects. Rules in the household, time spent on video games and time spent with family did not show significance as determinants. Implications of the findings as well as limitations and recommendations for future research are included in the discussion.
Recommended Citation
Blanchard, Wendy, "ADOLESCENT PERCEPTIONS OF DIGITAL PLAY: A STUDY IN THIRD-PERSON EFFECTS" (2012). All Dissertations. 986.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/986