Examining Cultivation From a Psychological Perspective

This study attempts to elaborate the cultivation hypothesis by examining some proposed subprocesses, especially learning and construction with first-and second-order measures. The results from a sample of adolescents provide support for a construction subprocess but only with first-order measures. Results on the subprocess of learning as well as the overall cultivation process are mixed. In addition, the relationship between first- and second-order measures (generalization) are examined. It is argued that cultivation theory needs to be extended to attempt an explanation of how the effect operates.