PDF eBook
Entire PDF eBook
1006k
$24
Get instant access to an entire eBook
Buy PDF Password
Download Complete PDF
eBook editions
On Learning Science and Pseudoscience from Prime-Time Television Programming
by Christopher H. Whittle
Paperback
eBook PDF

Publisher: | Dissertation |
Pub date: | 2012 |
Pages: | 186 |
ISBN-10: | 1612339433 |
ISBN-13: | 9781612339436 |
Categories: | Communications and the Arts Education Social Science |
Abstract
The purpose of the present dissertation is to determine whether the viewing of two particular prime-time television programs, ER and The X-Files, increases viewer knowledge of science and to identify factors that may influence learning from entertainment television programming.Viewer knowledge of scientific dialogue from two science-based prime-time television programs, ER, a serial drama in a hospital emergency room and The X-Files, a drama about two Federal Bureau of Investigation agents who pursue alleged extraterrestrial life and paranormal activity, is studied. Level of viewing, education level, science education level, experiential factors, level of parasocial interaction, and demographic characteristics are assessed as independent variables affecting learning from entertainment television viewing.
The present research involved a nine-month long content analysis of target television program dialogue and data collection from an Internet-based survey questionnaire posted to target program-specific on-line "chat" groups. The present study demonstrated that entertainment television program viewers incidentally learn science from entertainment television program dialogue. The more they watch, the more they learn. Viewing a pseudoscientific fictional television program does necessarily influence viewer beliefs in pseudoscience. Higher levels of formal science study are reflected in more science learning and less learning of pseudoscience from entertanment television program viewing. Pseudoscience learning from entertainment television programming is significantly related to experience with paranormal phenomena, higher levels of viewer parasocial interaction, and specifically, higher levels of cognitive parasocial interaction.
In summary, the greater a viewer's understanding of science the more they learn when they watch their favorite science-based prime-time telvision programs. Viewers of pseudoscience-based prime-time television programming with higher levels of paranormal experiences and parasocial interaction demonstrate cognitive interest in and learning of their favorite television program characters ideas and beliefs. What television viewers learn from television is related to what they bring to the viewing experience. Television viewers are always learning, even when their intentions are to simply relax and watch the tube.
About the Author
Christopher H. Whittle is an educator and paleontologist who has published on a wide variety of topics including the development of paranormal beliefs, learning from popular television, museum studies, and dinosaur paleontology (Nedcolbertia, gastroliths). He graduated with a B.S. degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, an Ed.M. from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico.
PDF eBook
Entire PDF eBook
1006k
$24
Get instant access to an entire eBook
Buy PDF Password
Download Complete PDF
eBook editions
Share this book
Relevant events
SEP
21
BIOTECHVISION
BioTechVision 2026 – International Summit on Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology
We are delighted to welcome you to all researchers, scientists, academicians, engineers, and professionals to attend BioTechVision 2026 – International Summit on Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology, scheduled for Sept...
BioTechVision 2026 – International Summit on Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology
We are delighted to welcome you to all researchers, scientists, academicians, engineers, and professionals to attend BioTechVision 2026 – Internati...
BioTechVision 2026 – International Summit on Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology
We are delighted to welcome you to all researchers, scientists, academici...
BioTechVision 2026 – International Summit on Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology
We are delighted to welcome you to all researche...
21 - 23 Sep 2026
Barcelona,, Spain
OCT
6
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Dallas
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4lCc0oJ
MBA candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4lCc0oJ
Discover your ideal graduate or business school. Take advantage of our exclusive networki...
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Dallas
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4lCc0oJ
MBA candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4lCc0oJ
Discover your ...
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Dallas
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4lCc0oJ
MBA ...
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Dallas
Master's candidates register at this link: https...
06 - 06 Oct 2025
Dallas, United States
OCT
7
QS Discover Master's and MBA in Houston
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4ktXkqC
MBA candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/3TlAkyZ
Discover your ideal graduate or business school. Take advantage of our exclusive networki...
QS Discover Master's and MBA in Houston
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4ktXkqC
MBA candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/3TlAkyZ
Discover your ...
QS Discover Master's and MBA in Houston
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4ktXkqC
MBA ...
QS Discover Master's and MBA in Houston
Master's candidates register at this link: https...
07 - 07 Oct 2025
Houston, United States
OCT
7
THE World Academic Summit
Delegates will convene at our flagship event to focus on the role of universities as active agents of progress and change.
Join some of the world's most inspiring thought leaders and influential change-makers to explore...
THE World Academic Summit
Delegates will convene at our flagship event to focus on the role of universities as active agents of progress and change.
Join some of the worl...
THE World Academic Summit
Delegates will convene at our flagship event to focus on the role of univ...
THE World Academic Summit
Delegates will convene at our flagship event to ...
07 - 09 Oct 2025
Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia
OCT
9
QS Discover Master's and MBA in San Antonio
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4klUMe5
MBA candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/44vBvBe
Discover your ideal graduate or business school. Take advantage of our exclusive networki...
QS Discover Master's and MBA in San Antonio
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4klUMe5
MBA candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/44vBvBe
Discover your ...
QS Discover Master's and MBA in San Antonio
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4klUMe5
MBA ...
QS Discover Master's and MBA in San Antonio
Master's candidates register at this link: https...
09 - 09 Oct 2025
San Antonio, United States
OCT
11
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Charlotte
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/45cJEwp
MBA candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/3ES2fTq
Discover your ideal graduate or business school. Take advantage of our exclusive networki...
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Charlotte
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/45cJEwp
MBA candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/3ES2fTq
Discover your ...
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Charlotte
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/45cJEwp
MBA ...
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Charlotte
Master's candidates register at this link: https...
11 - 11 Oct 2025
Charlotte, United States
OCT
13
IHE US Universities Summit 2025
This invitation-only summit brings together just 150 Presidents, Chancellors, and Provosts from leading institutions across United States.
It is a deliberately intimate gathering designed for strategic dialogue and conf...
IHE US Universities Summit 2025
This invitation-only summit brings together just 150 Presidents, Chancellors, and Provosts from leading institutions across United States.
It is...
IHE US Universities Summit 2025
This invitation-only summit brings together just 150 Presidents, Chancell...
IHE US Universities Summit 2025
This invitation-only summit brings together just...
13 - 14 Oct 2025
Hoboken, United States
OCT
14
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Atlanta
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/41xICt1
MBA candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4jdJl7U
Discover your ideal graduate or business school. Take advantage of our exclusive networki...
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Atlanta
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/41xICt1
MBA candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/4jdJl7U
Discover your ...
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Atlanta
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/41xICt1
MBA ...
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Atlanta
Master's candidates register at this link: https...
14 - 14 Oct 2025
Atlanta, United States
OCT
16
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Chicago on 16 October 2025
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/3TVITAF
MBA candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/3TVITAF
Discover your ideal graduate or business school. Take advantage of our exclusive networki...
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Chicago on 16 October 2025
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/3TVITAF
MBA candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/3TVITAF
Discover your ...
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Chicago on 16 October 2025
Master's candidates register at this link: https://bit.ly/3TVITAF
MBA ...
QS Discover Master's and MBA Fair in Chicago on 16 October 2025
Master's candidates register at this link: https...
16 - 16 Oct 2025
Chicago, United States
OCT
17
ETCONF
8th World Conference on Education and Teaching (ETCONF)
We’re excited to invite you to the 8th World Conference on Education and Teaching (ETCONF 2025), set to take place in the historic city of Lyon, France. Join us from October 17–19, 2025.
This event promises to be an ins...
8th World Conference on Education and Teaching (ETCONF)
We’re excited to invite you to the 8th World Conference on Education and Teaching (ETCONF 2025), set to take place in the historic city of Lyon, Fr...
8th World Conference on Education and Teaching (ETCONF)
We’re excited to invite you to the 8th World Conference on Education and ...
8th World Conference on Education and Teaching (ETCONF)
We’re excited to invite you to the 8th World Con...
17 - 19 Oct 2025
Lyon, France