How the media portrays addiction

• How common is the portrayal of addictive behaviours in the media?

  • studies show that alcohol use appears in 86% of popular UK films and 40% of TV programs (Lyons et Al 2011, 2013)
• What did Stanton Glantz et Al (2002) find about smoking in films?

  • smoking in films declined between 1950 and 1982 but then increased again by 2002 to levels similar to 1950
• How does vicarious reinforcement play a role in media portrayals of addiction?

  • addictive behaviours are often shown positively without negative consequences, making them more appealing (Gunasekera et Al, 2005)