In Chapter 12 of "A Cognitive Psychology of Mass Communication" Richard Harris discusses handling the media related to various new technologies and communicating about the media. Harris acknowledges that the reality people create from the media often differs from their perceptions of the real world. Further Harris asserts that people often perceive reality based on their interpretations of images presented by the media. Not only does the media affect behavior, but also individual's attitudes when people "implicitly assume the world of the media faithfully reflects the real world" (Harris, 2004:353). .

             Further, Harris asserts that media is much changed in contemporary society, as such blurring the traditional lines between mass communication and personal communication (Harris, 2004). Thanks to technological innovations the media is now ever present in the lives of most individuals, and hence influences people's attitudes and perceptions even more. "Computer mediated" communication is according to Harris one of the strongest ways media communication has changed the lives or ordinary citizens (Harris, 2004:353). .

             Mass communication is capable of reaching people through multiple means in contemporary society, including through television. Harris suggests that regardless of how media touches people, through television, computers or through other technology, people can actively respond to the media in many different ways. Harris suggests that cross-cultural influences are now more evident than ever within the media. Interactive forms of media are also gaining popularity. These provide people with new opportunities for connecting, and "further blur distinctions from personal media and entertainment" changing the face of mass communication well into the next century (Harris, 2004: 356). .

             Harris concludes by noting that the distinction between mass media and personal media continue to be blurred, as does the distinction between mass media and entertainment (Harris, 2004: 367).