The Ohio State University
154 North Oval Mall
Columbus, OH 43210-1339
Qualifications:
B.A., Michigan State University
M.A., Michigan State University
Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
Quick Introduction:
Media effects
Narrative processing and narrative influence
Effects of entertainment media on risky health behaviors
Recent Publications:
Riddle, K., Cantor, J., Byrne, S., & Moyer-Gusé, E. (in press). People killing people in the news: Young children’s descriptions of frightening television news content. Communication Quarterly.
Lather, J., & Moyer-Gusé, E. (2011). How do we react when our favorite television characters are taken away? An examination of a temporary parasocial breakup. Mass Communication and Society, 14, 196-215.
Moyer-Gusé, E., Chung, A., & Jain, P. (2011). Identification with characters and discussion of taboo topics after exposure to an entertainment narrative about sexual health. Journal of Communication, 61, 387-406.
Moyer-Gusé, E., Mahood, C., & Brookes, S. (2011). Entertainment-education in the context of humor: Effects on safer-sex intentions and risk perceptions. Health Communication, 26, 765-774.
Moyer-Gusé, E., & Nabi, R. L. (2011). Comparing the effects of entertainment and educational television programming on risky sexual behavior. Health Communication, 26, 416-426.
Cantor, J., Byrne, S., Moyer-Gusé, E., & Riddle, K. (2010). Descriptions of media-induced fright reactions in a sample of US elementary school children. Journal of Children and Media, 4, 1-17.
Moyer-Gusé, E. (2010). Preference for television programs about sexual risk: The role of program genre and perceived message intent. Media Psychology, 13, 180-199.
Moyer-Gusé, E., & Nabi, R. L. (2010). Explaining the persuasive effects of narrative in an entertainment television program: Overcoming resistance to persuasion. Human Communication Research, 36, 26-52.
Moyer-Gusé, E. (2008). Toward a theory of entertainment persuasion: Explaining the persuasive effects of entertainment-education messages. Communication Theory, 18, 407- 425.
Description:
My research focuses on understanding how and why entertainment media influence individuals. My primary line of research examines how entertainment narratives influence viewers' attitudes and behaviors regarding health and social issues. For example, I have examined how viewers respond to television storylines about topics such as teen pregnancy, safer sex, sexually transmitted infections, organ donation, and environmental issues. At the most basic level, my research explores how people are influenced by messages about these and other serious topics when they are embedded in a television narrative. 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 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.