psychology and media

8/13/2019 Psychology and Media

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What is Media Psychology?APA Division 46 Media Psychology


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The last half century has seen an explosion

Human ExperienceHow do we understandin this new world?

of new media


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Born to CommunicateFrom early man to present, peoplehave invented ways to communicateand connect


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+

Media + psychology = ?

Psychologyis the study of the how and why of human behavior,emotion, and thought

Mediaincludes all forms of mediated communications

Media psychology continually evolves as technologies change


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Psychological Perspectives

There are several differentpsychological perspectives

that influence research topics

and and career applications

Some important areas are:

How we understand

information in different media

environments

How we experience media

technologies

Social Influences in media

content and social networks

How media can support

positive growth and change


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Cognitive Psychology

Cognition = the process of thinking and understanding

Cognitive Psychology

Perception, Language, Attention, Memory, Problem Solving,

Decision Making and Judgment, Intelligence

Career opportunities:

UsabilityDevelopmental appropriateness of technology

and contentInformation comprehensionData

visualizationEducational media


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Social Influences

People are influenced by theirinteractions with other people,

environments, and culture

Research areas:identity development,learningcultural influencespersuasionmedia violencestereotypes

Career opportunities: media contentdevelopment and impactmedia literacyhealth applications


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Humanistic & Narrative

Career Opportunities:clinical/therapeutic applications oftechnology,marketingbranddevelopmentpersuasivecommunicationsgroup behavior/teambuildingentertainment media

gaming

Humanistic: People-centered, holistic, looksat peoples needs and experience

Narrative: Looking at the story patterns in lifeand meaning


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Positive Psychology

Positive emotions

Engagement

Promoting strengthsbased traits

Career Opportunities:Prosocial messaging,

media content, and game designlearning

technologiesonline curriculumdevelopmentmotivational toolsusability

designcompany communications


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Developmental Psychology

How people grow, change and develop across their lifespan.

Research:identity stages,life transitions,relational skills,physical and psychological changes

Career Opportunities: game designeducational mediaaccessibility technology and usabilitymedia literacy


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What Does a Media Psychologist Do?

Combine the knowledge of psychology with the understandingof how media applications work

New technologies means more demand for media psychology

Designers and producers of media for all distribution channels,from entertainment to corporate training

Assessment and evaluation of technology, interfaces, usability,and content

Integrating technology into educational curriculums, medialiteracy education programs, and student support learning andtime management tools


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Media Psychology is the Future

Media revolution leavesno industry, career,country, or process

untouched

Tools to promotepositive mediatechnologies and usecan help:

People thrive Communities to come

together

Nations to communicate

Change educational andfinancial opportunities


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APA Division 46 for Media Psychology

www.apa.org/divisions/div46/

References

Anderson, J. R. (1995). Cognitive Psychology and Its Implications. New York: W. H.

Freeman and Company.

Benjafield, J. G. (2005). History of Psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Gardner, H. (1993). Frames of Mind. New York: Basic Books.

Giles, D. C. (2003). Media Psychology. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum

Associates.

Harris, R. J. (2004).A Cognitive Psychology of Mass Communication(4th ed.).

Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Snyder, C. R., & Lopez, S. J. (Eds.). (2005). Handbook of Positive Psychology. Oxford:

Oxford University Press.

Slide show prepared by Dr. Pamela Rutledge, Media Psychology Research Center
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