Risk behavior and entertainment

Abstract

The portrayal of risk behavior has been a prominent topic of study for both media research in general and the study of entertainment media specifically. This interest is tied to concerns about potentially negative effects of viewing content that represents risky (health) behaviors such as substance use (i.e., alcohol, tobacco, drugs), unsafe sex, and reckless behavior, particularly for younger audiences. Empirical research indeed shows that exposure to portrayals of risk behavior in entertainment media can impact viewers’ perceptions of risk behavior as well as their intentions to engage in such behaviors themselves. This chapter presents an overview of theories and research on portrayals of risky (health) behaviors in entertainment media, the potential effects and consequences of such portrayals, and how viewers themselves give meaning to risk behavior in entertainment media