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Media Psychology Research Center

Media Psychology Research Center

Media Psychology: The Psychology of Media Behavior

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
      • Dr. Erik M. Gregory
      • Dr. Pamela Rutledge
        • Dr. Pam/Substack
        • Rutledge in the News
      • Senior Research Fellows
        • Dr. Scott Garner
        • Dr. Marc Giudici
        • Dr. Cynthia Hagan
        • Dr. Jerri Lynn Hogg
        • Dr. Tatyana El-Kour
        • Dr. Sean Thoennes
      • Inspiration
    • What We Do
  • Resources
    • What is Media Psychology?
    • Positive Media Psychology
    • Media for Social Change
    • Expanding Media Literacy for a Transmedia World
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What We Do

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Assessment & Research

MPRC has a proprietary approach to media technology assessment.  Our research on technology usability goes beyond traditional functionality assessment.  We evaluate the user experience at a psychological level and the social cognitive implications of the user’s environment, self-schema, and understanding of technology.  Therefore, we comprehensively examine eight domains.  These include

  • Cognitive level
  • Developmental stage
  • Visual integration
  • Affective response
  • Social cognition
  • Narrative engagement
  • Self-reflection
  • Comprehension and meaning

Positive Media Psychology

We educate media producers, developers, and marketers so they can create and promote media that emphasizes strengths, values, and positive emotions.

Media Literacy

We advise parents and educators on developing and delivering media literacy and media fluency programs.

Media Psychology Review

The Media Psychology Review is an academic journal published by the Media Psychology Research Center to highlight the intersection of individual and group behavior with media technologies of all kinds. Submissions are welcome on a rolling basis. http://www.mediapsychologyreview.com

Projects

Media Psychology Research Center’s (MPRC) mission is to promote the use of media for positive social change.  MPRC is committed to bringing researchers together with designers, developers, and distributors of all forms of current and proposed media content and platforms.

Sidebar

FOR THE PRESS

Dr. Pamela Rutledge is available for comments on the psychological and practical impact of technology, and media on people and society. Send an email!

SUBSCRIBE
Digital Brains & Behavior by
Dr. Pam Rutledge
 

https://drpam.substack.com/


RSS feed: RECENT POSTS RECENT POSTS

  • Can Crowdsourcing Fix Dating Apps? October 7, 2026
    A new approach to dating platforms replaces algorithms with crowdsourced votes from human matchmakers who “vibe-check” to set up potential pairs Existing dating apps have a people problem, but a new dating platform is designed to fix swipe fatigue by using crowdsourcing to vet potential matches. It sounds like fun to get to weigh on […]
    Pamela Rutledge
  • Are Grandparents the New “iPad Kids”? September 12, 2026
    Managing teens’ tech use is hard enough. What happens when your parents join in? Here’s how to address those frustrating digital habits without becoming the technology police. Key Points Social media exploits human attention across the lifespan; it’s not a weakness limited to any age group. Technology can help older adults maintain social connection and […]
    Pamela Rutledge
  • The Popularity of “Dopamine Sites” Shows the Emotional Pay-off of Fake Food Orders June 23, 2026
    South Korea’s “dopamine sites” split the emotions of consumption from the financial transactions and show that a lot enjoyment comes from anticipation, not ownership. Key Points Have you ever filled a shopping cart but not checked out? Or looked at homes you have no intention of buying? Or browsed travel sites for a vacation you […]
    Pamela Rutledge

The Media Psychology Research Center (MPRC) is an independent organization dedicated to psychological science as the foundatio of media and technology research, assessment, and education.Our mission is to promote the positive development and use of media and technology.

RESEARCH TO PRACTICE

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

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