Media psychology is a discipline that seeks to comprehend the manner in which individuals perceive, interpret, apply, and respond to the media-dominated world. Through this discipline, media psychologists are able to identify the key benefits as well as challenges and enhance the development of constructive media (Fischoff, 2005). It is critical to observe that this remains a novel academic as well as practical discipline emanating as a solution to the proliferation of communication technologies within the past five decades. The discipline entails the study of television, radio, the internet as well as print media. Analytically, this field remains defined through the topic of its basic research.
The study of this discipline emerges as a professional discipline due to its societal and profitable demands. This concerns the incorporation of psychological frameworks in the media context (Rutledge, 2012). This was also necessary for the emerging media technologies within both the academic and non-intellectual environments. Psychology assumes a critical role in comprehending the impact of integrating media technologies amidst the wide-ranging society. The field thus embodies a wide array of the human experience of the media. This may include effect, cognition as well as behavior. Moreover, it also significantly affects the application of these in events, activities, theoretical models as well as practices. Media embraces meditated communication. This incorporates pictures, audio, and other provisions. In addition, emerging technologies also form a pertinent component of the media. Media psychology represents a critical opportunity to apply media in a novel and innovative manner by comprehending how psychology, as well as the media, operates jointly (Harris & Jackson, 2009).
The psychological theories are applicable within emerging fields such as social media, e-learning as well as digital technologies in revolutionary approaches. It is also critical to examine that media psychology links to various fields incorporating sociology, communications, international relations, and anthropology, among others (Rutledge, 2012). Society needs media psychology since the technologies fronted by the media propagate at a considerable pace. Additionally, there are diverse gadgets emerging in the market day after day. It is critical to note that these novel technologies are initiating the competencies that continue to redefine the manner of work, games, and communication daily. Media psychologists can help individuals adjust to the higher rate of technological advancement.
The discipline is also critical for ensuring that journalists, as well as other media personalities, become accountable to professional requirements or ethics (Fischoff, 2005). An explanation of the dissimilarity between correlation as well as causality is an important capability of media psychology. The discipline also reminds people of the varied experience of media technologies on individuals by culture, personalities, and other diverse settings. Conclusively, it is notable that the speedy introduction of new technologies has triggered a myriad of reactions, including enthusiasm and distrust. All people get affected uniquely with transformations or discoveries. As technology spreads, people are expected to change and view the world differently. However, it is vital to note that humans are not excellent at grasping and living with such constant changes.
References
Fischoff, S. (2005). Media psychology: A personal essay in definition and purview. Journal of Media Psychology, vol. 10(1), 1-17.
Harris, R. & Jackson, R. (2009). A Cognitive Psychology of Mass Communication. New York, NY: Routledge.
Rutledge, P. (2012). What is Media Psychology? Web.