Media Shaping Heroes: An Analysis of Chinese Public's Media Consumption and Heroic Identification.

Heroism serves as the banner showcasing the sublime spirit of the Chinese nation, and constructing a societal identity rooted in heroism is a crucial reference for the successful continuation of heroism in the new era. Moreover, media consumption plays a pivotal role in influencing public identification with heroism. From the perspective of cultivation theory, this study surveyed 511 respondents nationwide, utilizing quantitative measurements and empirical analysis through linear regression equations. The results indicate that there is a significant positive correlation between the media usage of the Chinese public and their social identification with heroism, impacting cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions differently. Additionally, traditional media is the main force in shaping this identification. Concurrently, there are evident generational differences in the public's heroic social identity, with the memory of heroes in the new media era showing a trend of "intergenerational decline." Future research should explore how to effectively use media to transmit the spirit of heroism and promote value integration. This includes optimizing media content, formats, and communication strategies to meet the needs of different audiences and enhancing the public's deep understanding and recognition of heroism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]