BSD322 – MEDIA PSYCHOLOGY Task brief & rubrics

Task

This is an individual assignment.

Answer all four questions (500 – 700 words each)

Q1: Media Psychology is defined as

1) “the scientific study of human behavior, thoughts, and feelings experienced in the context of media use and creation” (Karen, E. 2012)

2) understanding how consumption/usage of and interactions with media affect human thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

How do these definitions differ? Give at least two examples to illustrate the difference/s.

Q2: Media engineers (and politicians through media) use FIVE Persuasion Techniques to help the consumer of media form an opinion, change attitudes and behavior.: 1) Reframing 2) Repeated Affirmations 3) Vicarious/imitative Learning 4) Distraction and Denial 5) Classical and Operant Conditioning

a) Define and give examples of three of these techniques from media in your country.

b) Describe how you would examine, study and evaluate one of these three techniques

Q3: According to a study by Internet Matters, young children are accessing pornography as early as the age of eight and by the age of fourteen more than 50% have consumed pornography and at this age it becomes a ‘normal thing to do’. (internetmatters.org, 2017) In Galicia, Spain a recent study of 2500 people under 30 showed that 70% consumed pornography via the internet. (ibid 2018)

Use Gerbner’s Cultivation theory and/or Uses and Gratification theory (Levy; Katz, Blumer and Gurevitch) to analyse either the reason for this consumption and/or the results of such consumption.

Q4: List and give 3-5 clear examples of some positive psychological effects of 21st century media. Back up your list with theory and credible research.

Formalities:

· Wordcount: Total Word-count 2500-3000 words

· Font: Arial 12,5 pts.

· Text alignment: Justified.

· The in-text References and the Bibliography have to be in Harvard citation style.

Submission: Sunday 23 May 2021, 23:59 Barcelona time.

Weight: Re-sit assignment.

Learning Outcomes addressed:

LO1 To get an overview of mass media theory and media psychology theory

LO2 To be up-to-date with research on the impact media use and exposure can have on the brain.

LO3 To understand the potential new technologies and applications can have on human psychology and experience

LO4 To develop a critical eye for and critical analytical skills when appraising the impact media use can have on attitudes, behavior and mental and physical health.

LO5 To understand aspects to research when making decisions about media use, exposure and applications.