The Media Psychology Blog

I am very interested in the impact of media on how we view the world, and particularly in messaging that is framed in fearful and tribal contexts by various sources from politicians, religious leaders, and proponents of social causes to media outlets vying for audience attention. Biologically speaking, maintaining a heightened sense of fear [...]

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I recently received this email inquiry from a college student:
I am very interested in obtaining some sort of degree in psychology. I have been researching all the different areas and was just wondering if the pathway would be to just get a psychology degree? Or specialize in something for the media? And then what careers [...]

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Social media sites just keep springing up from the ether like summer flowers, or weeds, depending upon how you view this proliferation. Still, the simplicity and immediacy of social media website, Twitter, and its cousin Jaiku, still have me hopelessly addicted above all others. You know that a “trend” has arrived when the pornographers, spammers, [...]

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The human biological predisposition to seek social contact reacts to radio more than TV according to Cramer from Psychology Today. He suggests that the greater ambiguity in radio allows for more personal interpretation and hence, more personal connection. Does that ambiguity imply that talk-radio host is perceived as talking directly to you because you [...]

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I think it’s important to look at human behavior and human interaction with media from a broad perspective. Findings from biology, neuroscience, and evolution can challenge us to rethink traditional theoretical heuristics from psychology (and elsewhere) that inform our judgments about everything from media use and development to assessing media experience. Adriaan called [...]

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