ABSTRACT
Both this chapter and Chapter 5 focus on specific psychophysiological measures that can be used in studying cognitive and emotional processing of media respectively. The previous chapters of this book reviewed the history of psychophysiological research, foundational concepts and biological processes, as well as basic technical details that apply to psychophysiological measures in general. We move forward now by discussing theoretical, conceptual, and operational details involved in the current use of several specific psychophysiological measures commonly used in research conducted by media psychology researchers. Media psychology researchers investigate the mental processes that underlie the highly complex conscious experience of media consumption as well as the subtle, and not so subtle, way media content may influence individuals. The proper application of psychophysiological measures in this area requires solid theoretical understanding of relationships between specific cognitive and emotional processes evoked during media use on the one hand, and physiological activity on the other. We therefore begin this chapter, as well as the next, with a general theoretical consideration of mental processes involved in cognition and emotion engaged through media use and then move to discussing details involved in the application of the specific measures covered. It is worth noting, before we proceed, that our theoretical discussion of mental processes engaged by media exposure will be limited to more recent theorizing about cognition, emotion, and media that we apply in our own work. You ultimately may want to pursue a more historical discussion of these concepts as your interest in them grows.
