Cynthia M. Frisby

Does Race Matter? Effects of Idealized Images on African American Women’s Perceptions of Body Esteem

Using the theory of social comparison, this study examines the impact of exposure to advertisements of thin, physically attractive, Caucasian and African American models on the self-evaluations of African American women exhibiting varying levels of self-reported body esteem. As expected, exposure to idealized images of Caucasian models was not related to lowered self-evaluations regardless of the level of body esteem. However, women with low levels of body esteem did report lowered self-satisfaction with body esteem when exposed to physically attractive images of African American models. Results suggest that similarity or ethnicity of the idealized image may have an impact on African Americanwomen’s self-evaluations. Theoretical implications are discussed with respect to future research in the area of racial issues and mass media effects.

Health News Agenda Building: Journalists' Perceptions of the Role of Public Relations

This study uses a nationwide survey of health journalists (N = 774) to explore the agenda-building process in health news, examining how journalists develop story ideas, value expert source characteristics, and perceive the acceptability of using public relations materials. Results indicate that intermedia agenda setting may be a stronger influence on agenda building than are information subsidies, and that journalists rate characteristics associated with public relations training as important in expert sources. Also, journalists who take an audience advocate role are more accepting of news releases than those who take a skeptic role.

Messages of Hope: Health Communication Strategies That Address Barriers Preventing Black Women From Screening for Breast Cancer

Despite the fact that mammography is a valuable tool for early detection of breast cancer, research shows that most Black women do not undergo mammography. To better understand why Black women do not utilize regular mammography screenings, the author interviewed 92 Black women ranging in age from 20 to 77 to determine what effect their attitudes and perceptions of breast cancer have on their underutilization of and experience with mammograms. Data obtained revealed that Black women in this study hold negative attitudes and perceptions that involve images of death, feelings of fear, and concerns about unrealistic physical impairments that result from breast cancer. Results of the study are discussed along with the implications for using advertising and public relations campaigns to address the factors that influence Black women to utilize mammograms and engage in regular breast cancer screenings.

Race and Genre in the Use of Sexual Objectification in Female Artists' Music Videos

The present study examines the use of sexual objectification by popular female music artists in their music videos. To obtain a current assessment of sexual objectification within pop, country, and hip hop music videos, a content analysis was performed. Our primary purposes were to examine (a) differences by race (in particular, differences between White and Black artists) and (b) by genre (i.e., pop, hip hop/R&B, and country). Results revealed only 1 race difference. In that case, Black artists were nearly twice as likely to wear sexually provocative attire. The results yielded consistent genre differences in which country artists were less likely to engage in sexual objectification, probably because of the socially conservative nature of the genre. However, in the main, there were few differences in sexual objectification between pop and R&B/hip artists. Findings are discussed in relation to objectification theory (B. L. Fredrickson & T. A. Roberts, 1998) and the framework of post-feminism (e.g., Gill, 2007; McRobbie, 2004).

Changing Direction: Assessing Student Thoughts and Feelings about a New Program in Strategic Communication.

A number of recent studies have examined integration of advertising and public relations, but none reports what students think. Over three semesters, students in an introduction to strategic communication course were asked to assess an integrated public relations and advertising curriculum. Students supported integration and viewed a focus on new technology, having a toolkit of integrated communication methods, and understanding the basics of relationship building as paramount. Public relations and advertising students differed regarding the value of relationships, new technologies and a toolkit approach. The importance placed on relationship building differed by race and gender. (Contains 39 references and 3 figures of data.) (Author/RS) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.

A Matter of Life and Death Effects of Emotional Message Strategies on African American Women’s Attitudes About Preventative Breast Cancer Screenings

A2 × 2 experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of message strategies on attitudes toward breast cancer prevention. The researcher used a sample of African American women (N = 59) and two dependent variables: willingness to have a mammogram and perceived importance of breast cancer screening. Results indicated that message appeals utilizing testimonials taken from real survivors of breast cancer are most effective in increasing willingness to have mammograms and perceived importance of regular screening.

Spreading the Gospel of Good Health: Assessing Mass Women's Magazines as Communication Vehicles to Combat Health Disparities Among African Americans

A burgeoning interest and curiosity in spirituality and religion among the general and minority populations in the United States has led many health communication scholars to consider the implications these factors have on communicating health risk. Mass magazines, a popular source of health information among women and minorities, are well positioned to reach these targeted audiences and assist health communicators achieve their communication objectives. However, results from this pilot study suggest these vehicles are largely untapped channels to disseminate this type of culturally targeted health information. Content analyses of consumer mass magazines reveal Essence, an ethnic magazine, does incorporate some spiritual and religious factors; however, general readership magazines do not. Given the current spiritual landscape, health communicators can utilize not only ethnic magazines but also other womens mass magazines as health promotion channels to communicate health risk among African American women.

Reaching the Male Consumer by Way of Daytime TV Soap Operas

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to provide clear insights into the function and meaning television soap operas in everyday life, particularly for male viewers. Results suggest that male soap opera viewers watch daytime television because viewing makes them feel good, provides an escape, and helps to aid in social conversations, namely with the opposite sex.