What is the third-person effect in media psychology?

• A. Media messages affect only third-party audiences, not the self.
• B. The effect refers to a moderation bias at the third party.
• C. People believe others are more affected by media messages than they are.
• D. People believe they themselves are equally affected as others.

Answer: (C)

Third-person effect is a perceptual bias where people believe media messages have a greater impact on others than on themselves. This belief often leads to supporting censorship or protective actions because the perceived danger is thought to lie more with others than with the viewer. There are two parts: noticing that others are seen as more susceptible, and a motivation to shield others from those effects. It isn’t that media only affects others, and it isn’t about a moderation bias or equal impact; it specifically captures the tendency to overestimate others’ vulnerability while feeling relatively immune oneself.