The Media Psychology Research Center

The Media Psychology Research Center (MPRC) is a nonprofit dedicated to media technology research, assessment, and education.

We examine how people consume, produce and distribute information across all media technologies and seek to understand the impact on both individuals and society.

The mission of MPRC is to examine the interaction of media with human experience in every aspect of life for the purpose of promoting public understanding and positive media development and use.

We believe that media technologies can serve as a force for positive social change and individual growth. Our goal is to foster human potential across the lifespan using media and technologies. To achieve this, MPRC is committed to supporting a cross-disciplinary and transmedia community by bringing researchers together with designers, developers, and distributors of all forms of current and proposed media content and platforms.

Media Psychology is one of the most exciting and innovative branches of Psychology to emerge in the 21st century. It is an applied and research branch of psychology and part of a larger international and interdisciplinary trend in understanding the impact media have on individuals and groups.

Communication technology and media content are the fastest growing technological market with implications for all academic and professional fields interested in media’s ability to influence and inform.

MPRC Goals

Encourage needed outcome research in the field of media psychology & education – including the psychological impact of media & interactive technologies in the domain of learning, healthcare and general well-being
Incubate new ideas, products, solution services for learning, personal growth, well-being and positive social change
Support partners in testing products, services, and programming for optimal development through cycled research and real-time feedback
Increase the opportunity for the publication of research articles in this field
Provide opportunities and an infrastructure through which international graduate students can complete practical work
Bridge the gap between rigorous research and practice – specializing in “live applications” that allow rapid updates based on real-time research and actual practice

Recent Projects

Game Assessment
Development and product testing phase. Digital game assessment and content recommendations for reading instruction interactive software.

The Impact of Social Media on Self-Presentation and Self-Image
Examination of social media influence on the impact of relative information sources and self-competence on body image and perceptions of attractiveness.

The Use of Humor in Creating Hope and Resiliency
Development of testing protocol: The use of humor exercises and improvisational theater training to build positive emotions and emotional strength

The Influence of Media on the Predisposition to Conflict

Research project analyzing the impact of information sources on people's beliefs about themselves, the world, and other nations. Focusing on information flows before and after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, this study examines the impact of information sources on opinions that predispose individuals and groups toward conflict with others.

Bringing Ideas to Market

MPRC aims to have tangible impact, not simply provide more white papers and academic discussion. The goal is to touch the marketplace - to bring positive change to media and technology products in ways that affect people everyday. To that end, the methodology is collaborative, iterative and innovative.

The MPR is is an active participant in educational media, story-telling and technology with the goal of better understanding the positive nature of these powerful tools. MPRC researches, field-tests and create media, products, curricula and programs that are designed to benefit learners across of all ages. We are working to make our Research Center a hands-on, long-term partner with other world-class organizations.

Media Psychology Research Center

The Media Psychology Research Center