Faculty: Glenn Sparks
Professor
Assoc. Department Head
phone: 765-494-3316
email: gsparks@purdue.edu
Homepage: Visit.
Vita: Download here.
Education
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
M.A., Northern Illinois University
B.A., Wheaton College
Research
General research on the effects of mass media. Recent projects have included experimental work on the appeal of media violence, the impact of violent video games on physiological arousal and subsequent emotions, the effects of paranormal depictions in the media on paranormal beliefs and beliefs about science, and the effects of frightening films on emotional reactions of children and adults. Also conducting research on the general impact of electronic media on interpersonal relationships and close connections. Some of this research culminated in the publication of Refrigerator Rights: Creating Connections & Restoring Relationships (2002, Penguin-Putnam).
Representative Publications
- "The Appeal of Media Violence in a Full-Length Motion Picture: An Experimental Investigation." Communication Reports, 2005.
- "Effects of Media Violence," in J. Bryant & D. Zillmann (Eds.), Media Effects: Advances in Theory and Research, Erlbaum, 2002.
- "The Relationship Between Paranormal Beliefs and Religious Beliefs," Skeptical Inquirer, 2001.
- "Investigating the Relationship Between Exposure to Television Programs that Depict Paranormal Phenomena and Beliefs in the Paranormal," Communication Monographs, 2001.
- "Violence, Mayhem, and Horror," In D. Zillmann & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Media Entertainment: The Psychology of Its Appeal, Erlbaum, 2000.
- "The Repressive Coping Style and Fright Reactions to Mass Media," Communication Research, 1999.
- "Does Television News About UFOs Affect Viewers' UFO Beliefs?: An Experimental Investigation," Communication Quarterly, 1998.
- "Paranormal Depictions in the Media: How Do They Affect What People Believe?" Skeptical Inquirer, 1998.
Books
Refrigerator Rights: Creating Connections and Restoring Relationships (with W. Miller), Penguin-Putnam Press, 2002. More information click here.
Media Effects Research: A Basic Overview (2nd Edition) Wadsworth, 2006. More information click here.