Learning to Stalk? The Relation Between Media Exposure and Beliefs About Stalking.

Abstract

An extensive body of research has examined the effect media have on beliefs about gendered violence, but none of this research has considered how media affect beliefs about stalking. Two studies were conducted to address this gap. In Study 1, 189 high school students (60 male) completed a survey about their media use habits and beliefs about stalking. Results showed that greater amounts of total television exposure, a greater tendency to perceive television as realistic, and a greater tendency to view television to learn about relationships all predicted greater approval of stalking, controlling for demographics. In Study 2, 426 female college students were randomly assigned to watch a film that portrayed stalking as scary, a film that portrayed stalking as romantic, or a control film. Exposure to scary stalking led participants to see stalking as less acceptable. Although exposure to romantic stalking did not lead to greater approval of stalking for all participants, it did have this effect among those higher in perceived realism or transportation. Findings are discussed in terms of theoretical and practical implications.