Geographical Proximity, Cultural Imperialism, and the Cultivation Effect

Abstract

This work investigates the influence of geographical proximity on the cultivation effect in the context of cultural imperialism. A content analysis of prime-time programming (n=63 hours) is used to compose questions about the prevalence of different occupations in the USA and Israel. A sample of 655 students answered these questions. Viewing of American programming was significantly correlated with a tendency to hold a biased estimation of the prevalence of certain occupations in America in a manner that resembles the world of TV content. Viewing of Israeli programs had no such impact on the estimation of occupation prevalence in Israel. General viewing had no influence on the estimations made about any of the countries.