The theory of presence examines how people use communication technologies to expand their psychological and physical reach. Originally limited to teleoperation, or operating a machine at a distance, and virtual reality, the theory has been growing in popularity and application. The theory is multidimensional and has been studied in a variety of disciplines. Presence has been applied to the study of media violence in an attempt to understand the influence of media violence on some media users. The theory of presence is sometimes referred to as the theory of telepresence. This entry explains the theory of presence and discusses research into whether it influences the effects of media violence.

Conceptual Framework

Presence is a psychological state in which media users suspend their conscious experience of meditated experiences ...

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