Do Certain Television Programs Appeal to High Sensation Seekers? An Examination of Message Sensation Value of Popular Television Programs

• In Event: Individual Differences in the Media Attraction and Effects Processes

Abstract

This research aimed at identifying message sensation value (MSV) features of television programs most popular amongst youth, and examining the association between sensation seeking, risk behaviors, and MSV scores. Results document that sports have the highest amount of MSV content and crime and action drama the least. Whereas female HSS report a higher sports MSVTCI, and a lower animated sitcom MSVTCI, male HSS do not report higher MSVTCIs for any genres.

Authors

• Kathryn Greene, Rutgers University

• Smita Banerjee, University of Lincoln

• Zhanna Bagdasarov, Rutgers University

• Marina Krcmar, Wake Forest University