Is Television Viewing Really Bad for Your Imagination?: Content and Process of TV Viewing and Imaginal Styles

The purpose of this study was to relate daydreaming styles to TV programming viewed (content) and contextual aspects of how television is used (process). Content and process of TV viewing of 476 undergraduates were assessed by self-report inventories constructed for this study. Scales were factorially derived from these inventories which showed good interpretability, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Daydreaming patterns were measured by the Short Imaginal Processes Inventory. Contrary to popular notions about the antagonism between TV use and positive fantasizing, certain TV contents (drama/comedy series, “classic” comedies, and music/entertainment) were associated with Positive-Constructive Daydreaming. Process more than content of TV use predicted negative styles of fantasizing: Guilt-Fear of Failure Daydreaming correlated with watching television during negative mood states and scanning channels while Poor Attentional Control involved both of these process dimensions and, in addition, using television to fill time.

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