Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Meta-Analysis Of Prosocial Media On Prosocial Behavior, Aggression, And Empathic Concern: A Multidimensional Approach, Sarah M. Coyne, Laura M. Padilla-Walker, Hailey G. Holmgren, Emilie J. Davis, Kevin M. Collier, Madison K. Memmott-Elison, Alan J. Hawkins

Faculty Publications

Studies examining the effects of exposure to prosocial media on positive outcomes are increasing in number and strength. However, existing meta-analyses use a broad definition of prosocial media that does not recognize the multidimensionality of prosocial behavior. The aim of the current study is to conduct a meta-analysis on the effects of exposure to prosocial media on prosocial behavior, aggression, and empathic concern while examining multiple moderators that the prosocial behavior literature suggests are important to our understanding of why individuals voluntarily help others (e.g., target, type, coast). Results from 72 studies involving 243 effect sizes revealed that exposure to …