englischWhy do we assume that others are heavily influenced by the media, indeed even more so than we are ourselves? What effects does this assumption have on our own thinking and behaviour? Research into the third-person effect, which by now is regarded as one of the key concepts in research [...]

englischWhy do humans deal with certain problems and ignore others? Why does politics address certain issues and neglect others? Why do certain subjects suddenly become irrelevant after having been the focus of public discussion? The concept of ‘agenda setting’ provides answers to these questions. [...]

englischHow do we interact with newsreaders, stars and other media figures who appear on television and in other forms of the media? How do our relationships to them develop? Research on parasocial interaction and relationships strives to answer these questions. The second edition of this textbook [...]

englischHow is information about new developments propagated in society? What role do (mass media) communications channels play in this process? Which factors influence the successful diffusion of innovations? Which distinctive features emerge when information about media innovations is propagated?

englischMediatisation is one of the key concepts in media and communication studies. The main focus of research into it is the relationship between media change and societal change. Two different approaches to researching the role of the media in modern society using quantitative or qualitative [...]

englischWhat are opinion leaders? How do they exert social influence? What effects do they have on the formation of opinions? How is opinion leadership in online contexts different from opinion leadership in direct social interaction?

This book presents an overview of opinion leadership as a social [...]

englischThis book will – in intelligible and explanatory language – introduce first-semester students to the science of social work. It will answer basic questions concerning the profession and the scientific discipline as well as about its identity-building ‘core’. Various exercises and further [...]