Introduction to Media Psychology

Practice flashcards covering the definitions, history, theories, and research paradigms of Media Psychology based on the lecture transcript.

Social psychology

The study of the interaction between people.

Media psychology

The study of the psychological effects of media use on individuals and how media affects social change, essentially combining social psychology with psychology about media.

Level of Analysis Framework

An organizational structure where everything is confined in a growing level of analysis, moving from a micro level to a macro level in the sequence: Biology → Physiology → Psychology → Sociology → Anthropology.

Domains of Analysis Framework

A matrix where different domains like Communication, political science, economics, business research, and education research move from micro to macro levels, with Media Psychology at the center.

Media Psychology Division

The APA division founded in 1987 to represent the discipline of media psychology.

David Giles

The author who published the first foundational textbook for the Media Psychology discipline in 2003.

Journal of Media Psychology

An academic journal first published in 1996 focused on the field.

Media Psychology (Journal)

A journal first published in 1999 focused on the field.

Walter Lippman

An early thinker who argued in 'Public Opinion' that people are too simple-minded to make informed decisions on complex global events, leading them to create simplified mental models.

Medium

Anything that humans use to communicate with other people, including TV, phones, and language.

"The medium is the message"

A concept suggesting that the medium on which media is displayed affects how we conceive that information.

Phase 1 Media Effects Research

A period in the 1920s-30s involving powerful, short-term media effects focusing on war propaganda and political communication.

Magic bullet theory / Hypodermic needle theory

Theories from Phase 1 suggesting that radio and other media allow messages to be "injected" into the minds of listeners, causing instant acceptance.

Two-step flow theory

A Phase 2 theory by Lazarsfield suggesting media effects are filtered through two phases: Media → Opinion leaders → Audience.

Opinion leaders

Individuals or media entities that shape the opinions of the audience, such as a friend telling others what is true or false.

Bandura’s Bobo Doll study

A Phase 3 study conducted to show how children can learn aggressive behaviors by observing adult models.

Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory

The theory explaining that long-term heavy exposure to media (like social media) distorts a person’s view of the actual "real world".

Random Assignment

A research method where participants are equally likely to be sorted into control or experimental groups, provided they share the same characteristics prior to sorting.

Internal Validity

Focuses on the cause-and-effect relationship; the confidence that changes in the dependent variable are strictly caused by the independent stimulus.

External Validity

The degree to which a research finding is generalizable to other people and the broad population.

Ecological Validity

The extent to which research results can be generalized to real-world, everyday settings.

Uses and Gratifications (U&G)

A theory developed by Elihu Katz that describes why and how people actively and intentionally seek out specific media to fulfill personal needs.

Parasocial interaction

A factor in gratifications where a user believes there is a mutual connection with a media Figure, but the relationship is actually one-sided (e.g., a fan and a celebrity).

Mean world syndrome

A component of cultivation theory where heavy viewers of television tend to perceive the world as a mean and dangerous place where others cannot be trusted.

Mainstreaming

The concept that the main events or messages of society are inescapable for both heavy and light media users due to widespread hype and coverage.

Resonance

Occurs when real-world experiences or knowledge are congruent with, and backed up by, what is seen on television.

Self-determination Theory (SDT)

A theory stating that people have an innate desire for growth, fulfilled when autonomy, competence, and relatedness are met.

Autonomy

The psychological need for a feeling of control over one’s own life.

Competence

The psychological need to feel effective and capable.

Relatedness

The universal desire to feel connected to and understood by others.

Intrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by internal passion or curiosity, involving intrinsic regulation where the drive comes from within.

Extrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by external rewards or punishments, often involving integrated regulation.

Social Learning Theory (SLT)

The theory stating that people learn behaviors and actions by observing models in their environment.

Self-efficacy

A key part of Social Learning Theory referring to the belief in one’s own ability to succeed in a particular task.