Barrie Gunter

Authoritative and illuminating, this book demonstrates how we reveal the secrets of our character through the disclosures we make about ourselves in the online world. The author expertly explores whether online information about people, derived from their search patterns, personal detail disclosures and the language they use when posting text, are all related to their personalities. The Internet era has given rise to an enormous explosion of data that is refreshed daily on a massive scale. The growth of online social network sites has created opportunities for more and more people to reveal intimate details about themselves and their lives. While some of these disclosures are consciously made, other, more subtle forms of person profiling can be produced by examining patterns in our online behavior and the language we use in our online posts. As this book will show, techniques have been developed which enable researchers to build detailed personality profiles of people without their awareness, by examining online behaviour and psycholinguistic analysis. Establishing how unlocking the full potential of ‘big data’ is dependent on having the right analytical tools that can be applied speedily and cost-effectively on a massive scale, the author also asks how powerful these methods are, and can they really be used to influence us in the way their critics fear and proponents claim.Explaining how we reveal the secrets of our character through the disclosures we make about ourselves in the online world, this is fascinating reading for students and academics in psychology, linguistics, computer science, and related areas.

Authoritative and illuminating, this book demonstrates how we reveal the secrets of our character through the disclosures we make about ourselves in the online world. The author expertly explores whether online information about people, derived from their search patterns, personal detail disclosures and the language they use when posting text, are all related to their personalities. The Internet era has given rise to an enormous explosion of data that is refreshed daily on a massive scale. The growth of online social network sites has created opportunities for more and more people to reveal intimate details about themselves and their lives. While some of these disclosures are consciously made, other, more subtle forms of person profiling can be produced by examining patterns in our online behavior and the language we use in our online posts. As this book will show, techniques have been developed which enable researchers to build detailed personality profiles of people without their awareness, by examining online behaviour and psycholinguistic analysis. Establishing how unlocking the full potential of ‘big data’ is dependent on having the right analytical tools that can be applied speedily and cost-effectively on a massive scale, the author also asks how powerful these methods are, and can they really be used to influence us in the way their critics fear and proponents claim.Explaining how we reveal the secrets of our character through the disclosures we make about ourselves in the online world, this is fascinating reading for students and academics in psychology, linguistics, computer science, and related areas.

This book provides a resource for readers interested in the issues surrounding mobile phone use by children. Mobile phones are ubiquitous in young people’s lives around the world. Most teenagers and many pre-teenage children have their own mobile phone and carry it around everywhere they go. While the mobile phone remains an important communication device for making and receiving voice calls, technological advances have evolved the typical device far beyond simple functionality. Recent models are multi-functional mini-computers with ever-increasing power that enable users to communicate through a range of channels and to engage in multiple other activities. For many young people, life without their mobile phone is unimaginable, but mobile phones can be a source of risk and threat. Understanding how they are used and highlighting potential dangers is an essential activity to enable the creation of sensible and acceptable strategies to ensure that benefits are maximised and risks are minimised. Stakeholders such as parents, industry, regulators, government and children themselves all have vested interests in how children use mobile phones and bear some responsibility for young mobile users.

There is a growing concern about the rise of gambling in many countries. With the expansion of online gambling opportunities and the relaxation of restrictions on gambling around the world, the industry has increased their investment in marketing activities. The use of diverse and highly visible promotional reminders has been identified as an important influence on problem gambling. Gambling critics, activists and some media campaigns have called for tighter controls over gambling advertising and some national governments have begun to review their legislation and regulatory practices. Gambling Advertising: Nature, Effects and Regulation examines these issues and reviews empirical research about the role of advertising and other forms of marketing in the encouragement of gambling behaviour. However, despite the accumulation of research evidence about the nature and effects of gambling advertising and promotion over the first two decades of the 21st century, there are still gaps in our knowledge. In its attempts to clarify the effectiveness of specific restrictions on the location, amount and nature of gambling advertising, this book will aid university teachers and researchers working in fields such as advertising and marketing, business, communications and media, leisure, and advertising and gambling regulation.

Television is often accused of showing too much violence. However, it is rare that anyone stops to ask what this statement means. Violence on Television provides an objective analysis of the violence on television, how much there is and what form it takes.It presents findings from the largest ever sudy of the depiction of violence on television carried out in Britain, funded by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Commission. As well as presenting a quantitative analysis of the amount of violence on television, this research places great emphasis on investigating the character of violent portrayals and the contexts in which they occur.Barrie Gunter and Jackie Harrison present a detailed literature review, which examines previous research from around the world. They then explain the methodology and look at the problems of measuring and quantifying violence on television. They examine the specific attributes of violence, including the form it takes, its physical setting, its motives and consequences, and the nature of the characters involved as either aggressors or victims. They also examine the amount and nature of violent portrayals in different programme genres, such as films and drama, entertainment programming, news and factual programmes, and children's programmes.The book will be of interest to students and researchers in psychology, communication studies and media studies.

This book explores the different factors that can influence a new movie’s prospects at the box office. Looking at factors such as the production budget, distribution model, genre, stars and audience reactions of films, Gunter asks how such aspects may reduce the uncertainties of success so common in the movie industry. The reader is taken on a journey through filmmaking factors that, research suggests, impact box office performance. While box office revenues represent only part of a movie’s earning potential, Gunter highlights how theatrical performances remain central to what the movie business is about. The chapters illustrate how ticket sales are largely influenced by the production budget but also cultural differences and new movie platforms.

Understanding how consumers choose between different products and services is a crucial part of professional marketing. Targeting brands at the consumers most likely to be interested in them is another critical aspect of business success. Marketers need to know what consumers think about brands, why they like them and what purposes they serve. This means delving into the psychology of the consumer to find ways of differentiating between consumers and matching brands to consumer niches at the level of consumers’ relationships with brands. Using psychology to segment consumers has been regarded as a valuable adjunct to standard geo-demographic definitions of market segments. The Psychology and Consumer Profiling in a Digital Age examines how this field of ‘psychographics’ has evolved, the different approaches to psychological segmentation of consumers, the different ways in which it has been applied in consumer marketing settings, and whether psychographics works. It draws upon research from around the world and incorporates its analysis of the use of psychographics with an examination of major shifts in marketing in a digital and global era.

This book provides an up-to-date and comprehensive review and critique of the scientific evidence concerning the prevalence, nature and potential effects of food advertising and other forms of marketing on children. There is growing international concern about the prevalence of childhood obesity and associated health problems. Poor quality diet and nutrition has been blamed. The food and soft drinks industries have been targeted in this context for their promotions of foods and drinks that are high in salt, sugar and fat content. Many of the most widely promoted and consumed food brands fail to meet recommended nutritional standards. What is the evidence for the effects of food promotions on children’s food preferences, diets and health? This book draws on evidence from around the world, reviewing the major studies before presenting a fresh assessment of the state of play. It considers also the issue of food regulation and advertising codes of practices, the need for better and relevant consumer education and socialisation about advertising and nutrition.

This book explores the different factors that can influence a new movie’s prospects at the box office. Looking at factors such as the production budget, distribution model, genre, stars and audience reactions of films, Gunter asks how such aspects may reduce the uncertainties of success so common in the movie industry. The reader is taken on a journey through filmmaking factors that, research suggests, impact box office performance. While box office revenues represent only part of a movie’s earning potential, Gunter highlights how theatrical performances remain central to what the movie business is about. The chapters illustrate how ticket sales are largely influenced by the production budget but also cultural differences and new movie platforms.

First published in 1993. This book is intended for managers and occupational psychologists involved in the selection and assessment of the workforce. It details the history and development of the use of biographical data for both recruitment and promotion of employees. Grounded in relevant research literature, it offers a comprehensive analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of biodata in different contexts. It also includes examples of applications and recommendations for use, as well as examples of questionnaires. Written by experts, it represents a wide-ranging review of the contemporary research in the field. This work will be of interest to students of business and psychology.

There are more people over 50 than ever before, with numbers likely to continue to rise. They are wealthier, healthier and happier than our old stereotypical images lead us to believe, yet this segment of the market is under-researched. In Understanding the Older Consumer, Barrie Gunter provides a detailed examination of the demographic, behavioural and psychological profiles of this group. He shows that without the responsibilities of loans and child raising and with better financial provision than in previous years, the over-50s represent a powerful spending force. In order to reach this group, marketers need to know how best to target advertising and respond to the changes that have occurred. Understanding the Older Consumer provides a wealth of information on older people's lifestyles and leisure, their interest in the mass media, their perceptions of advertising and their shopping preferences that will be invaluable to students of marketing, media and social psychology.

Published in 1990, Poor Reception is a valuable contribution to the field of Communication Studies.

Originally published in 2003. This book examines the growth of news provision on the internet and its implications for news presentation, journalism practice, news consumers, and the business of running news organizations. Much of the focus is placed on the migration of newspapers onto the internet, but references are also made to the establishment of news websites by other organizations. The book examines the growth of online technology as a source of information and entertainment and considers how this development can be framed within models of communication and comments, on the apparent shortage of new models to explain the use, role, effectiveness, and impact of online communications.

Historically, there has been a lack of parity between women and men in senior corporate roles, particularly in major companies with the biggest market capitalisation. This can be partly explained by inequalities of career opportunity and also women’s self-perceptions. Yet there are plenty of examples in business and other worlds, notably politics, that women can perform effectively in the highest leadership roles.Some countries have actively encouraged greater female representation on the boards of major companies. This is a positive step forward. When women join the boards of top companies, the decision-making climates of these bodies can change for the better. When women are appointed as leaders of poorly performing companies they can turn them around and convert them into success stories every bit as often as male appointees. Women have been dismissed as lacking the character for business leadership. Sometimes, women are their own worst enemies and feel uncomfortable when members of their own gender act more like men. Yet, self-belief can strengthen their perceived suitability for top jobs. Women do need to act tougher to get to the top, but this does not mean abandoning their femininity or having a fulfilling life outside business. Why Women Should Be Taken More Seriously in the Boardroom is a useful tool for business students as well as those in the corporate world looking to gain a deeper understanding of gender balance within leadership roles.

Historically, there has been a lack of parity between women and men in senior corporate roles, particularly in major companies with the biggest market capitalisation. This can be partly explained by inequalities of career opportunity and also women’s self-perceptions. Yet there are plenty of examples in business and other worlds, notably politics, that women can perform effectively in the highest leadership roles.Some countries have actively encouraged greater female representation on the boards of major companies. This is a positive step forward. When women join the boards of top companies, the decision-making climates of these bodies can change for the better. When women are appointed as leaders of poorly performing companies they can turn them around and convert them into success stories every bit as often as male appointees. Women have been dismissed as lacking the character for business leadership. Sometimes, women are their own worst enemies and feel uncomfortable when members of their own gender act more like men. Yet, self-belief can strengthen their perceived suitability for top jobs. Women do need to act tougher to get to the top, but this does not mean abandoning their femininity or having a fulfilling life outside business. Why Women Should Be Taken More Seriously in the Boardroom is a useful tool for business students as well as those in the corporate world looking to gain a deeper understanding of gender balance within leadership roles.

This book provides an up-to-date and comprehensive review and critique of the scientific evidence concerning the prevalence, nature and potential effects of food advertising and other forms of marketing on children. There is growing international concern about the prevalence of childhood obesity and associated health problems. Poor quality diet and nutrition has been blamed. The food and soft drinks industries have been targeted in this context for their promotions of foods and drinks that are high in salt, sugar and fat content. Many of the most widely promoted and consumed food brands fail to meet recommended nutritional standards. What is the evidence for the effects of food promotions on children’s food preferences, diets and health? This book draws on evidence from around the world, reviewing the major studies before presenting a fresh assessment of the state of play. It considers also the issue of food regulation and advertising codes of practices, the need for better and relevant consumer education and socialisation about advertising and nutrition.

Corporate Assessment, first published in 1993, looks at four types of company audit and provides a pragmatic, readable guide for managers. The authors show how assessment of a company in terms of its culture, climate, communications and customers can enhance management vision and lead to recommendations designed to improve employee satisfaction, motivation, loyalty and performance. Insight is provided into the kinds of measurement tools and assessment techniques that are available, and the authors offer recommendations for the use of these instruments, and how best to utilize the information they can produce. This book will not only be of interest to managers who need to assess their companies, but to students of business, organizational psychology, and human resource management.

This book is an academic work which reviews and critiques the research literature concerning violent games and their alleged effects on players. It examines the debates about the potential effects of these games and the divisions between scholars working in the field. It places the research on violent video games in the longer historical context of scholarly work on media violence. It examines research from around the world on the nature of video games and their effects. It provides a critique of relevant theories of media violence effects and in particular theories developed within the older media violence literature and then considers how useful this and newer scholarly work might be for policy-makers and regulators. The book identifies where gaps exist in the extent literature and where future research attention might be directed.

Understanding how consumers choose between different products and services is a crucial part of professional marketing. Targeting brands at the consumers most likely to be interested in them is another critical aspect of business success. Marketers need to know what consumers think about brands, why they like them and what purposes they serve. This means delving into the psychology of the consumer to find ways of differentiating between consumers and matching brands to consumer niches at the level of consumers’ relationships with brands. Using psychology to segment consumers has been regarded as a valuable adjunct to standard geo-demographic definitions of market segments. The Psychology and Consumer Profiling in a Digital Age examines how this field of ‘psychographics’ has evolved, the different approaches to psychological segmentation of consumers, the different ways in which it has been applied in consumer marketing settings, and whether psychographics works. It draws upon research from around the world and incorporates its analysis of the use of psychographics with an examination of major shifts in marketing in a digital and global era.

First published in 1993. This book is intended for managers and occupational psychologists involved in the selection and assessment of the workforce. It details the history and development of the use of biographical data for both recruitment and promotion of employees. Grounded in relevant research literature, it offers a comprehensive analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of biodata in different contexts. It also includes examples of applications and recommendations for use, as well as examples of questionnaires. Written by experts, it represents a wide-ranging review of the contemporary research in the field. This work will be of interest to students of business and psychology.