MEDIA PSYCH NOTES
1. NATURE AND SCOPE
Introduction to Media Psychology
Media psychology is a relatively new discipline that explores the psychological impacts
of media on individuals and society. While its formal recognition is recent, its roots trace
back to early research, such as Hugo Münsterberg's 1916 analysis of film effects in The
Photoplay: A Psychological Study. The field has evolved significantly since the 1950s,
initially focusing on children's media and its developmental impacts. Today, it
encompasses a broader perspective, analyzing media's influence across all age groups
through a lifespan development lens (Mares & Bonus, 2021).
Key Contributors to Media Psychology
1. Paul Lazarsfeld (1901–1976):
○ Focused on the effects of mass communication in political contexts,
particularly election campaigns.
○ His work established foundational methods for analyzing media's influence
on public opinion.
2. Marshall McLuhan (1911–1980):
○ Revolutionized media studies with his concept "the medium is the
message," emphasizing that media shapes societal structures and human
interactions beyond mere content.
○ Suggested that media are extensions of individuals, such as language
extending thoughts or tools like hammers extending physical capabilities.
○ Highlighted how subtle, long-term societal changes caused by media often
go unnoticed in favor of more immediate, apparent effects.
McLuhan’s Perspective on Media
● Media fundamentally alters human affairs by changing the scale, pace, or patterns
of activities. For instance:
○ The railway did not invent movement but revolutionized the scale and
speed of travel.
, ○ The microwave oven, while introducing convenience in food preparation,
inadvertently impacted family dynamics and the tradition of shared meals.
● McLuhan argued that these secondary, long-term effects are often underestimated
but crucial for understanding media’s true societal impact.
● The intimacy created by visual media can foster illusions, such as a false sense of
personal connection in politics or entertainment, reshaping perceptions and
behaviors.
Defining Media Psychology
Media psychology bridges psychology and media/communication studies, focusing on
how media use and creation affect human behavior, thoughts, and emotions.
Key definitions include:
1. Fischhoff (2005): Media psychology examines psychological and social
parameters of mediated communication, distinguishing it from face-to-face
interactions.
2. Dill (2013): It is the scientific study of human experiences in the context of media
use and creation.
Historical Milestones in Media Psychology
● David Giles (2003, 2010): Authored the first book dedicated to media psychology.
● Journals:
○ Journal of Media Psychology (1998–2014) by Stuart Fischhoff.
○ Media Psychology (1999) by Taylor & Francis.
○ Psychology of Popular Media Culture (renamed Psychology of Popular
Media in 2020).
● Division 46 of APA (1986): Established to address the growing need for
psychological research and practice in media.
Media Literacy
1. NATURE AND SCOPE
Introduction to Media Psychology
Media psychology is a relatively new discipline that explores the psychological impacts
of media on individuals and society. While its formal recognition is recent, its roots trace
back to early research, such as Hugo Münsterberg's 1916 analysis of film effects in The
Photoplay: A Psychological Study. The field has evolved significantly since the 1950s,
initially focusing on children's media and its developmental impacts. Today, it
encompasses a broader perspective, analyzing media's influence across all age groups
through a lifespan development lens (Mares & Bonus, 2021).
Key Contributors to Media Psychology
1. Paul Lazarsfeld (1901–1976):
○ Focused on the effects of mass communication in political contexts,
particularly election campaigns.
○ His work established foundational methods for analyzing media's influence
on public opinion.
2. Marshall McLuhan (1911–1980):
○ Revolutionized media studies with his concept "the medium is the
message," emphasizing that media shapes societal structures and human
interactions beyond mere content.
○ Suggested that media are extensions of individuals, such as language
extending thoughts or tools like hammers extending physical capabilities.
○ Highlighted how subtle, long-term societal changes caused by media often
go unnoticed in favor of more immediate, apparent effects.
McLuhan’s Perspective on Media
● Media fundamentally alters human affairs by changing the scale, pace, or patterns
of activities. For instance:
○ The railway did not invent movement but revolutionized the scale and
speed of travel.
, ○ The microwave oven, while introducing convenience in food preparation,
inadvertently impacted family dynamics and the tradition of shared meals.
● McLuhan argued that these secondary, long-term effects are often underestimated
but crucial for understanding media’s true societal impact.
● The intimacy created by visual media can foster illusions, such as a false sense of
personal connection in politics or entertainment, reshaping perceptions and
behaviors.
Defining Media Psychology
Media psychology bridges psychology and media/communication studies, focusing on
how media use and creation affect human behavior, thoughts, and emotions.
Key definitions include:
1. Fischhoff (2005): Media psychology examines psychological and social
parameters of mediated communication, distinguishing it from face-to-face
interactions.
2. Dill (2013): It is the scientific study of human experiences in the context of media
use and creation.
Historical Milestones in Media Psychology
● David Giles (2003, 2010): Authored the first book dedicated to media psychology.
● Journals:
○ Journal of Media Psychology (1998–2014) by Stuart Fischhoff.
○ Media Psychology (1999) by Taylor & Francis.
○ Psychology of Popular Media Culture (renamed Psychology of Popular
Media in 2020).
● Division 46 of APA (1986): Established to address the growing need for
psychological research and practice in media.
Media Literacy
