Cited by 1,088Media Influence and HealthNarrative Theory and AnalysisFlow Experience in Various Fields

Measuring Narrative Engagement

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Busselle, Rick, Bilandzic, Helena·2009·Media Psychology

Abstract

Research indicates that the extent to which one becomes engaged, transported, or immersed in a narrative influences the narrative's potential to affect subsequent story-related attitudes and beliefs. Explaining narrative effects and understanding the mechanisms responsible depends on our ability to measure narrative engagement in a theoretically meaningful way. This article develops a scale for measuring narrative engagement that is based on a mental models approach to narrative processing. It distinguishes among four dimensions of experiential engagement in narratives: narrative understanding, attentional focus, emotional engagement, and narrative presence. The scale is developed and validated through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses with data from viewers of feature film and television, in different viewing situations, and from two different countries. The scale's ability to predict enjoyment and story-consistent attitudes across different programs is presented. Implications for conceptualizing engagement with narratives as well as narrative persuasion and media effects are discussed.

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Authors
Busselle, R., & Bilandzic, H.
Affiliations
Washington State University (US)
Venue
Media Psychology
Published
2009-11-23
Volume
12
Issue
4
Pages
321-347
ISSN
  • 1521-3269 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-785X
OpenAlex
W2062865797
Cited by
1,088
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 94 · 2025: 101 · 2024: 89 · 2023: 97 · 2022: 80 · 2021: 111 · 2020: 93 · 2019: 71 · 2018: 65 · 2017: 69 · 2016: 64 · 2015: 43 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 24
FWCI
311.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Media Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • OPUS (Augsburg University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › Media Influence and Health
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › Narrative Theory and Analysis
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Flow Experience in Various Fields
Keywords
narrative engagement, narrative persuasion, scale development, mental models, narrative comprehension, attentional focus, emotional engagement, narrative presence, media influence, narrative enjoyment, cross-cultural validation

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