Who We Are – Media Psychology Research Center

7 Anti-Stress Tips for Political News Junkies January 9, 2025
Feeling anxious about the incoming administration? Can't stop reading the headlines and fearing the worst? Here are seven tips to help you protect your well-being in a contentious political environment. I have written about political stress and doomscrolling before, but I decided to revisit them because these are strategies we need for the long haul. […]
Pamela Rutledge
Home for the Holidays: The Benefits of Rewatching Your Favorite Movies December 20, 2024
Rewatching and sharing favorites improves mood, releases stress, builds rituals, and strengthens emotional connections. Key Points It’s Always Time for Rewatching Your Favorites Ever found yourself reaching for your favorite old movie or TV show despite knowing every line and plot twist? You’re not alone. Rewatching old favorites is a popular activity for many, especially […]
Pamela Rutledge
Deepfake Nudes: Helping Teens Navigate Digital Threats and Bullies October 29, 2024
Teens face a new digital threat: deepfake nudes. Parents can help prevent this form of bullying by empowering teens with the skills and resources to be safer online.Easy-to-use deepfake apps allow quick creation of damaging and fake sexually explicit images.Creating and sharing these images often starts as a prank, thanks to immature teenage brains.Victims experience […]
Pamela Rutledge

Ubiquitous technology means we need a better understanding of:

- 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

Dr. Erik M. Gregory

Dr. Pamela Rutledge

Senior Research Fellows

Inspiration