ABSTRACT

This study builds on cultivation theory to consider how use of different media – including television, social media, and podcasts – may predict belief in unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and extraterrestrials. Extending previous research on media use and belief in paranormal phenomena, the study tests whether consumption of specific television genres, television news outlets, social media platforms, and podcast programs is linked to greater belief in UFOs. An analysis of national survey data (N = 1,035) collected two months after the widely publicized release of a US government report on ‘unidentified aerial phenomena’ shows that paranormal documentary and reality television viewing, Fox News viewing, YouTube use, and Joe Rogan Experience listening were positively associated with belief in UFOs. By illuminating how specific forms of media use predict public beliefs about one type of purported paranormal phenomena, the findings suggest future directions in investigating beliefs about other topics on the fringes of conventional inquiry.

摘要

本研究以培养理论为基础，考虑使用不同媒体（包括电视、社交媒体和播客）如何预测对不明飞行物 (UFO) 和外星人的信念。该研究扩展了之前关于媒体使用和对超自然现象的信仰的研究，测试了特定电视类型、电视新闻媒体、社交媒体平台和播客节目的消费是否与对不明飞行物的更大信仰有关。 对美国政府关于“不明空中现象”的报告广为宣传发布两个月后收集的全国调查数据（N = 1,035）的分析表明，超自然纪录片和真人秀电视观看、福克斯新闻观看、YouTube 使用和乔·罗根体验倾听与相信不明飞行物呈正相关。通过阐明特定形式的媒体使用如何预测公众对一种所谓的超自然现象的信念，研究结果表明未来在调查对传统调查边缘的其他主题的信念时的方向。