Using psychology to

help individuals and

society grow and

flourish using

media and technology

What is Media Psychology?

Media psychology uses the lens of psychology to study and understand the complex relationship between humans and the evolving media landscape.


Media psychology defines ‘media’ broadly as ‘mediated communications and experience’ and includes a range of applications across multiple domain, such as entertainment, education, design, social interaction, healthcare, human development, information technologies, and business. The rapid spread and increasing complexity and fluidity of media technologies highlight the importance the intersection of human psychology and the attributes and affordances of legacy and emerging technologies as they impacts and enable human behavior and experience.

Research To Practice


Ubiquitous technology means we need a better understanding of:

·Attitudes and perceptions about technology and technology use

·Digital and Transmedia Storytelling and constructing and sharing additive narratives across media channels

·Participatory and collaborative media

·On-demand information access

·The use of technology to promote positive experiences through cognitive and emotional engagement: positive mood inducement, sense of self-efficacy, social connectedness

·Immersive Environments and new arenas for expression and social modeling of new attitudes, skills, social roles, and personal identity

·Human relationships mediated by technology

·Tools and environments for learning across the lifespan

·Psychological, perceptual and cognitive aspects of using technology and understanding usability

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.

MEDIA PSYCHOLOGY BLOG


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 MPRC 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.

Questions? Feel free to contact us. We are happy to share our knowledge and collaborate and potential media research projects.

Email info@mprcenter.org