Interest in the meaningful sides of media entertainment has blossomed over last decade, with numerous scholars examining how certain content can enhance social good and well-being. Because scientific work this area is relatively new rapidly evolving, conceptualizations experiences have been introduced. In paper we argue for importance recognizing a unique form experience that causes us to look beyond our own concerns, recognize moral beauty, feel unity humanity nature—what label here as...

Despite the increased attention to eudaimonic media experiences, date scholars have paid little specific portrayals responsible for those experiences. Study 1 of this project reports first systematic content analysis self-transcendent media—a particular type media—using a sample 100 "inspirational" YouTube videos. The presence 20 elicitors associated with emotions was examined and reported. In 2, respondents provided real-time emotional reactions while viewing 3 As expected, ratings...

Expanding on the research of meaningful entertainment media and its effects, this study investigated relationship between experiences related to elevation responses film.Whereas thus far has focused primarily portrayals altruism elicit elevation, results show that connectedness, love, kindness in films are also able feelings elevation.Moreover, mediated connectedness towards transcendent, close others toward one's family; compassionate love others; motivation be good humanity.The...

This article reports the findings from a national survey of self-transcendent (or inspiring) media audience members in United States. Exposure to content is socially significant because, theoretically, it can orient users toward matters beyond themselves, ultimately promoting connections with others and altruistic behaviors. However, date, little known about daily audiences for such fare. Four primary questions guided investigation: (a) What are sources contents identified as "inspiring" by...

Although a great deal of research has examined the potential negative effects Facebook, studies also show that Facebook use can lead to various positive effects. This study builds on this scholarship: together, two presented herein aim provide an understanding inspirational content available and way social media users in United States encounter, recall, interact with content. Results from quantitative analysis Study 1 posts contain similar frequencies hope appreciation beauty excellent...

Self-transcendent media experiences are thought to involve cognitive engagement and mixed affect, leading psychological well-being. The current study investigated whether these characteristics were reflected in viewers' psychophysiological responses sharing intentions. Multilevel model analyses revealed that viewers (n = 57) allocated more resources encoding (heart rate), experienced greater physiological arousal (skin conductance level), less positive but negative affect (facial...

Abstract. Scholars have increasingly explored the ways that media content can touch, move, and inspire audiences, leading to numerous beneficial outcomes including increased feelings of connectedness heightened motivations for doing good others. Although this line inquiry is relatively new, sufficient evidence patterns results emerged such a clearer picture inspiring experience coming into focus. This article has two primary goals. First, we seek synthesize existing research working evolving...

This study extends research on the relationship between hedonic and eudaimonic entertainment its potential for recovery experiences aspects of well-being (e.g., Rieger, Reinecke, Frischlich, & Bente, 2014). With broad notion what media can entail, this focused unique affective experiences—namely, positive affect—and an expanded concept meaningful affect (including elevation gratitude). An online experiment with 148 full-time employees in United States was conducted to investigate role...

Past research indicates that people often share awe-inspiring news online. However, little is known about the content of those stories. In this study, more broadly defined “inspirational” articles shared through The New York Times website over a 6-month period were analyzed, with goals describing and identifying characteristics might predict inspirationality measures retransmission. results provided snapshot found within inspirational stories; they also revealed self-transcendent language...

The conditions under which social media use impacts well-being and mental health are complex. current 10-day longitudinal quasi-experiment (student sample, N = 111) applied an entertainment theory lens to explore the effects of active posting engaging with hedonic or inspiring Facebook content (vs. passive browsing) on young people’s eudaimonic (levels connectedness humanity, love, compassion, presence meaning) (anxiety depressive symptoms). results provide tentative evidence that finding...

Research has extensively studied the negative effects of digital communication on adolescents' well-being. However, positive experiences and behavior in adolescence are still poorly understood. The recently developed Digital Flourishing Scale addresses this gap focuses perceptions a user's behaviors among adults. In paper, we an adolescent version scale. Study 1 demonstrated internal consistency scale same factor structure for as adulthood: connectedness, civil participation, social...

Abstract Affective disposition theory explains well the process of enjoying hero narratives but not appeal featuring antiheroes. Recent antihero studies suggest that character identification and moral disengagement might be important factors in enjoyment such fare. The current study builds on this work. A sample 101 self-identified fans nonfans television series

Abstract Recent research started to apply concepts of well-being the context computer mediated communication (e.g., social media, instant messaging). While much investigates negative perceptions interactions “problematic” or “addictive” media use), a multi-dimensional measure that taps into users? positive is sorely lacking. The present therefore develops first comprehensive digital flourishing , defined as interactions. Building on qualitative pre-study aided construction Digital...

Rooted in the rich soil of positive psychology, scholarship on uses and effects self-transcendent media content that elicits other-oriented emotions has flourished past few years, covering a full range such as movies, online videos, social posts, news stories. The current research aimed to gain better understanding consequences consuming with particular focus music – medium is frequently identified inspiring. Specifically, two studies were conducted examine degree which (manifested...

Little is yet known about audiences who routinely seek out media content that inspirational in nature. The current study expands the research on by utilizing a nationally representative sample of U.S. ( n = 2,016) to explore relationships between inspiring exposure, trait transcendence, and self-transcendent emotions. Results show reliable source for everyday emotional experiences audiences. These are most frequently encountered persons with high levels spirituality gratitude. profile discussed.

Recent scholarship on media psychology acknowledges that entertainment offers not only purely hedonistic enjoyment but also meaningful experiences. This study expands our understanding of by exploring the role in evoking spiritual emotions and beliefs, such as those related to connectedness, blessedness, transcendence. Results from an online survey (N = 220) indicate elicits well increases saliency beliefs self-actualization experiences everyday life. Furthermore, trait transcendence...

Previous research has shown the harmful effects of stereotypical messages on viewers, including increased negative attitudes toward outgroup members. In contrast, positive or counter-stereotypical portrayals can lead to less prejudiced members; however, these kinds are not always easy come by. As a result, alternative methods for combating necessary. The current study examined ability self-transcendent emotions, specifically awe, reduce African American men. Contrary expectations, results...

Many studies in the field of positive media psychology have investigated effects meaningful film on viewer's feelings and openness to others, all while music is number #1 source for feeling moved, touched or inspired. Therefore, current study examined role compared pleasurable listeners emotional experiences, connectedness, altruistic behaviors. In a pre-posttest experiment, 105 participants (Mage = 23.800; SD 6.082; 77.3% female) listened either their favorite music. Findings revealed that...

Recently scholars argued to broaden the concept of eudaimonic entertainment experiences and introduced two conceptualizations: 1. self-focused experiences, including mixed affect, contemplation need satisfaction, 2. other-focused self-transcendent emotions prosociality. The goal study was investigate how dimensions meaningful media (self-focused vs. other-focused) are elicited from inspiring films that contain elicitors explore connection differentiation between two. Results a Qualtrics...