Gender and Media: Content, Uses, and Impact

Abstract

How does the media environment contribute to our gendered perceptions and experiences? With a few exceptions, the basic cognitive and emotional processes by which media exert an impact tend to be similar for both men and women. The most robust gender differences exist at the level of media representation and content and the selective exposure patterns that are, in part, a response to gender-typed content. In order to understand how media affect women and men, it is crucial first to understand systematic gender differences in media content, as well as any gender differences that emerge with respect to the quality and quantity of media use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)