Challenging Entertainment: Enjoyment, Transportation, and Need for Cognition in Relation to Fictional Films Viewed Online

This study used brief, fantastical fiction films viewed on a computer to extend research into the multiple dimensions of audiences' responses to entertainment media. One hundred sixty participants viewed one of two films and completed measures of transportation into the film, perceptions of the film as fun and meaningful, and need for cognition. Transportation was associated with both fun and meaningfulness perceptions, which were correlated with each other. Need for cognition predicted meaningfulness directly and indirectly through transportation. This trait was associated with fun only indirectly, via transportation. Notes Note. NfC = need for cognition. *p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001. a The environmentally themed film, Delivery, was the comparison value. *p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001. a The environmentally themed film, Delivery, was the comparison value. NfC = need for cognition. *p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001. a The environmentally themed film, Delivery, was the comparison value. NfC = need for cognition. †p < .08. *p < .05. ***p < .001. Additional informationNotes on contributorsAlice Hall Alice Hall (Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 2001) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Her research interests include the ways audiences select and respond to entertainment media. Lara Zwarun Lara Zwarun (Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, 2002) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Her research interests include the content, effects, and regulation of media messages about potentially harmful behaviors and products.