MEDS 280 - Social Psychological Approaches to Mass Media: Understanding Content, Motivation, and Impact

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

(Same as PSYC 280) This course is designed to introduce students to the interdisciplinary field of “media psychology,” which applies social scientific theory and methodology to the study media use, content, and impact. We will first review theoretical contributions from both Communication Studies and Social Psychology before moving into a range of “hot topics” in the field (e.g., violent media, persuasion and advertising, news, politics, representations of social groups, social media). Along the way, we will consider: psychological processes relevant to media use and impact, individual differences that motivate selective exposure and reception, the positive and negative effect that media may have on our attitudes and behaviors, and the complexities of developing and executing media effects research. Ms. Greenwood.

Prerequisite: PSYC 105 is required. MEDS 160 is recommended but not required.

Two 75-minute periods.