Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Books

"Four media psychologists who also just happen to be dedicated Mad men fans explore how the show's viewers make meaning from fictional drama. The authors also interviewed several contemporary advertising industry professionals, getting their inside view of the business in its modern guise and what they make of the show's vision of their past. The result is ... psychological research that crunches and codes online fan commentary to understand the ways that people use the show to debate complex social issues, from sex and alcohol to gender roles, parenting, and advertising itself"--Amazon.com

In Finding Truth in Fiction, two media psychologists reveal that there's much more to our desire to seek out stories in film, TV, and books than simple diversion--fiction can help us find truth in our real lives. By exploring our relationship with fictional stories and characters, the authors will examine the influence of fiction on our identities, the paradox of trying to separate actors from the roles they play, and the types of stories we are drawn to over and over.