The limited capacity model of motivated mediated message processing: meta-analytically summarizing two decades of research

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Limited Capacity Model of Motivated Mediated Message Processing (LC4MP) aims to understand message processing dynamics. Despite 20 years of research, no meta-analysis has assessed LC4MP effects. We conducted a meta-analysis of the model to examine three theoretical research domains in the LC4MP: cognitive load, motivation, and memory. Results from 142 articles and 683 effects demonstrate that pooled effect sizes for research domain range from r = .314–.398. Effect sizes vary by measurement modality with self-report resulting in the largest pooled effect size, followed by behavioral, and finally psychophysiological measures. We did not detect evidence of publication bias. These findings offer meta-analytic support for LC4MP research domains and are discussed in terms of falsifiability, predictive and explanatory power.