Self-transcendent Media Experiences: Taking Meaningful Media to a Higher Level

Oliver, Mary Beth; Raney, Arthur A.; Slater, Michael D.; Appel, Markus; Hartmann, Tilo; Bartsch, Anne; Schneider, Frank M.; Janicke-Bowles, Sophie H.; Kraemer, Nicole; Mares, Marie-Louise; Vorderer, Peter; Rieger, Diana; Dale, Katherine R.; Das, Enny (2018): Self-transcendent Media Experiences: Taking Meaningful Media to a Higher Level. In: Journal of Communication, Vol. 68, No. 2: pp. 380-389

Abstract

Interest in the meaningful sides of media entertainment has blossomed over the last decade, with numerous scholars examining how certain media content can enhance social good and well-being. Because social scientific work in this area is relatively new and is rapidly evolving numerous conceptualizations of meaningful media experiences have been introduced. In this paper we argue for the importance of recognizing a unique form of media experience that causes us to look beyond our own concerns, to recognize moral beauty, and to feel unity with humanity and nature-what we label here as ``self-transcendent media experiences.''

• Item Type: Journal article
• Keywords: Entertainment;Eudaimonia;Mass Communication;meaningfulness;self-transcendence
• Faculties: Social Sciences > Communication
• Subjects: 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 150 Psychology; 300 Social sciences > 300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology
• ISSN: 1460-2466 ; 0021-9916
• Language: English