Limited Capacity Model of Motivated Mediated Message Processing

Abstract

The limited capacity model of motivated mediated message processing (LC4MP) is a model for understanding the dynamic interactions between mediated messages and the human information processing system. At the time of its original writing, the LC4MP was unique in the landscape of media psychology research in that it eschewed rote investigation of message effects and instead focused on investigating how message structure and content interact with and influence various biological systems of the brain and body. Since 2000, the LC4MP has catalyzed much progress in our understanding of the biological dimensions of message processing. This entry reviews the assumptions of the LC4MP, along with key concepts and methods used in the LC4MP literature. In addition, it discusses the core propositions of the model, highlighting ways in which they have evolved as the model has developed. Finally, it introduces a few areas in which the model is still under active development, pointing out promising areas for future research.