Linda Heath
I have been involved in research on mass media effects since my graduate school days, when I collaborated on a time-series with switching replications study of the effects of the introduction of television on criminal behavior. I then pursued my interest in media and crime into the prisons, interviewing inmates about childhood television viewing and comparing their responses with those of non-criminals from the same neighborhoods. I have also done a national study of the effects of randomness and sensationalism in newspaper reports of local and non-local crimes. All of these studies revealed significant media effects. Social psychological constructs such as social comparison and perceived control are used to understand these media effects on fear of crime and criminal behavior.
My current research examines the effects of new media technologies such as cable, VCRs, email, and the Web on perceptions of crime and justice. Additionally, I am currently examining the effects of peripheral media messages (such as news promotions or "teasers") on perceptions of crime and justice.
Primary Interests:
- Aggression, Conflict, Peace
- Applied Social Psychology
- Attitudes and Beliefs
- Gender Psychology
- Internet and Virtual Psychology
- Law and Public Policy
- Person Perception
- Social Cognition
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Video Gallery
Global Cohesion for Peace
Journal Articles:
- Heath, L., & Gilbert, K. (1996). Mass media and fear of crime. American Behavioral Scientist, 39, 379-386.
- Heath, L., Kavanagh, J., & Thompson, R. (2001). Perceived vulnerability and fear of crime: Why fear stays high when crime rates drop. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 33, 1-14.
- Heath, L., Weeks, K., & MacKay, M. (in press). Gun attitudes and fear of crime. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation.
- Wiley, K., Edwards, J., Smillie, P., Heath, L., & Acklin, M. (in press). HIV/AIDS nursing care: Instrument for measuring students' attitudes and precautions. Journal of Nursing Education.
Other Publications:
- Heath, L. (2005). Quasi-experiment. In K. Kempf-Leondard (Ed.), Encyclopedia of social measurement (pp. 255-261) San Diego, CA: Elsevier Science Limited.
- Heath, L., & Brown, K. (2005). Sex and gender in Springfield: Male, female, and d'oh. In A. Brown (Ed.), D'oh: The psychology of The Simpsons. Dallas, TX: BenBella Books.
Linda Heath
Department of Psychology
Loyola University Chicago
1032 W. Sheridan Road
Chicago, Illinois 60660
United States of America
- Phone: (773) 508-3023
- Fax: (773) 508-8713