Psychophysiological Effects of Media Use

This entry serves as an introduction to psychophysiological media effects and media psychophysiology research, beginning with a general definition of psychophysiology, and followed by a brief history of the application and integration of psychophysiological methods and measures in media psychology scholarship. After explaining a fundamental principle of the psychophysiological approach (psychophysiological measures are “monstrosities”), this entry covers primary psychological variables studied in psychophysiological media effects research (arousal, attention, emotion) and the various physiological methods and measures used to assess them (skin conductance [SC], heart rate [HR], heart rate variability [HRV], facial electromyography [EMG], electroencephalography [EEG], event‐related potentials [ERPs], functional magnetic resonance imaging [fMRI]). The conclusion focuses on directions for future research that will further solidify the status of psychophysiological approaches in media psychology scholarship.