Conflict and control: Examining the association between exposure to television portraying interpersonal conflict and the use of controlling behaviors in romantic relationships.

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Mark Fine, Professor and Chair (Creator)
Dr.. Loreen Olson, Associate Professor (Contributor)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Based on content analyses examining the type and amount of relational conflicts featured in popular television (Brinson, 1992; Brinson & Winn, 1997; Comstock & Strzyzewski, 1990; Fine, 1981; Greenberg, Buerkel-Rothfuss, Neuendorf, & Atkin, 1980; Sherry & De Souza, 2005), the present study investigated the link between exposure to television that is high in interpersonal conflict and viewers' use of relational control in their romantic relationships. The results demonstrate a small but statistically significant relationship between exposure to interpersonal-conflict television and relational control, even after controlling for demographic, relationship, and personality variables. Further, the results demonstrate that the main relationship was moderated by viewers' perceived realism of television. Theoretical implications are discussed.

Additional Information

Publication
Communication Studies, 64(1), 106-124
Language: English
Date: 2012
Keywords
television, psychology, relationships, romantic relationships, interpersonal conflict, relational control, cultivation analysis

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