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  • The Media Psychology Research Center

    The mission of the Media Psychology Research Center (MPR) is to examine the interaction of media with human experience in every aspect of life.

    We believe that media can serve as a force for positive social change. Our goal is to foster human potential for all ages using media and technologies. MPRC is committed to 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.

  • Recent Projects

    tape-girls-watch-tvGame Assessment
    Development and product testing phase. Digital game assessment and content recommendations for reading instruction interactive software.

    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.

  • Working Together to Make a Difference

    MPR welcomes researchers and practitioners from academia, arts and entertainment, business, and related fields to join us with project ideas or research projects.

    You can also help us improve media for social change by contributing to MPRC. Your donation is tax deductible and will be used to examine the impact media has on individuals and groups as well as how we can utilize media for positive social changes. tape-bwboys-computerlQuestions? Feel free to contact us. We are happy to share our knowledge and collaborate and potential media research projects. Email info@mprcenter.org

  • Media Psychology Blog

  • Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice

    What does technology mean for society and the individual?
  • Attitudes and perceptions about technology and technology use
    • Cultural sharing
  • Digital storytelling systems
  • Sharing narrative, have a voice and sharing experience across communities
    • Emotions, moods, and attitudes
  • The use of technology to promote positive experiences through cognitive and emotional engagement: positive mood inducement, sense of self-efficacy, social connectedness
    • Virtual worlds
  • New arena for expression and social modeling of new attitudes, skills, social roles, and personal identity
    • Connecting
  • Human relationships mediated by technology
    • Learning
  • Tools and environments for learning across the lifespan
    • Usability
  • Psychological, perceptual and cognitive aspects of using technology
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  • 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
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    • 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