Evaluating Research Using Cultivation Theory

Please note: If you are attending class on Thursday, we will do this IN CLASS. No need to do it ahead of time. If you are NOT attending class on Thursday, you may complete this on your own on Canvas before the deadline.

This week we extensively learned about cultivation theory. In this activity you will examine an empirical research study that uses cultivation theory to explore a research question. Your task is to understand how this research study used cultivation theory concepts and whether they found support for cultivation theory.

Option to work in groups: You are welcome to work on this activity within groups. If you decide to work in a group, only one member of your group needs to submit the assignment on behalf of your group. Please note that you will NOT be able to make changes after the due date/time.

Standard expectations: As with every assignment in this class, be sure to respond to the following questions in your own words and succinctly (in as few words as possible). 

Basic knowledge necessary to complete this activity:

1. Read Chapter 4 of your textbook
2. Read this research article that uses cultivation theory: Hawkins, I., Coles, S. M., Saleem, M., Moorman, J. D., & Aqel, H. (2022). How Reel Middle Easterners? Portrayals Cultivate Stereotypical Beliefs and Policy Support. Mass Communication and Society, 1-25 (Relevant pages: 1-5; 7-19)Download Hawkins, I., Coles, S. M., Saleem, M., Moorman, J. D., & Aqel, H. (2022). How Reel Middle Easterners? Portrayals Cultivate Stereotypical Beliefs and Policy Support. Mass Communication and Society, 1-25 (Relevant pages: 1-5; 7-19)
3. Table 4.1Download Table 4.1

Questions to answer:

1. Hawkins et al., 2022 conducted a content-analysis examining how Middle Eastern characters are represented in entertainment media. Briefly summarize what they found with respect to the way in which Middle Eastern characters are depicted (relevant section: study 1 results: pgs 7-8) (1-2 sentences: 1 point).
2. Look at the way the effects component is defined in Table 4.1 of your book (pg. 78). How is this effects component tested in the Hawkins et al., (2022) article? In other words, what specific effects are these researchers interested in examining in this research article (relevant section Study 2 introduction: pgs 8-11). (1-2 sentences: 1 point).
3. On pg, 2-3, the Hawkins et al., (2022) article describes the difference between first order and second order effects. Looking at the results of Study 2 (and Figure 1 on pg.17):
   1. What are the first order and second order effects in this research article (1-2 sentences: 1 point)
   2. How does media exposure, as assessed in this research article, influence the first and second order effects examined within this research study? (2-3 sentences: 1 point)
4. What did researchers suggest was the mediating variable in Study 2? How does it explain the relation between the independent variable and the dependent variable (1-2 sentences: 1 point)