Confronting the Assumptions: Exploring the Nature and Predictors of Black Adolescents' Media Use

Abstract

Documented as heavy media consumers, Black viewers are often also assumed to be unselective, uncritical, and homogeneous. These assumptions were tested in an exploratory study of the nature and correlates of media use among 139 Black and 82 White students aged 11–14 years. Findings indicate that although Black adolescents may consume more media, these patterns are sometimes selective, and that Black and White youth tend not to differ in levels of perceived realism and media criticism. Several demographic variables appear to play a role in shaping Black adolescents' viewing patterns, as well.

Notes

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Note: *p ≤ .05;

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