Podcasts about Media psychology

Het nieuws is de laatste tijd vaak negatief. En daarnaast is het moeilijk om fake van echt te onderscheiden. Veel mensen zijn daarom gestopt met het nieuws volgen. Geen krant meer, geen journaal kijken, niet meer doomscrollen... Hebben deze mensen gelijk? Is het niet juist goed om het nieuws te volgen en op de hoogte te zijn van wat er speelt in de wereld? Is dat een vereist stukje burgerschap en betrokkenheid? In deze aflevering bespreken psychologen Thijs Launspach en Lennard Toma of het gezond of ongezond is om het nieuws te volgen en wat psychologisch onderzoek daarvan zegt.Wil jij bij de live opname van de podcast (+ boekpresentatie) in Donner, Rotterdam zijn? Meld je dan gratis aan via Donner.nl.Adverteren in deze podcast? Mail naar podcasts@astrolads.com!Bronnen en ander lees- en luister- en kijkvoer:-Artikel van Change Mental Health: https://changemh.org/resources/news-consumption-and-your-mental-health/-Ook van een nieuwsbron als de Guardian komt een artikel dat vertelt dat nieuws kijken niet goed voor je mentale gezondheid is: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/apr/12/news-is-bad-rolf-dobelli -Hier ook een TED talk over het stoppen met kijken naar het nieuws: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-miTTiaqFlI -En hier een filmpje over wat School Of Life erover te zeggen heeft: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmSFWklVtv0 Nerd-literatuur:- Thompson RR, Jones NM, Holman EA, Silver RC. Media exposure to mass violence events can fuel a cycle of distress. Sci Adv. 2019 Apr 17;5(4):eaav3502. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aav3502. PMID: 31001584; PMCID: PMC6469939.- McIntyre, K. E., & Gibson, R. (2016). Positive news makes readers feel good: A “silver-lining” approach to negative news can attract audiences. Southern Communication Journal, 81(5), 304-315.- McIntyre, K., & Gyldensted, C. (2018). Constructive journalism: An introduction and practical guide for applying positive psychology techniques to news production. The Journal of Media Innovations (Discontinued), 4(2), 20-34.- de Hoog, N., & Verboon, P. (2020). Is the news making us unhappy? The influence of daily news exposure on emotional states. British Journal of Psychology, 111(2), 157-173.- Szabo, A., & Hopkinson, K. L. (2007). Negative psychological effects of watching the news in the television: Relaxation or another intervention may be needed to buffer them!. International journal of behavioral medicine, 14, 57-62.- Boukes, M., & Vliegenthart, R. (2017). News consumption and its unpleasant side effect. Journal of Media Psychology.- McIntyre, K. E. (2015). Constructive journalism: The effects of positive emotions and solution information in news stories (Doctoral dissertation, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill).

The Trulyfit Podcast welcomes back Dr. Blair Steel to talk about Social Media Psychology._You can find more about her here:IG : @drblairpsydWebsite : https://drblairpsyd.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The TrulyFit Podcast's mission is to provide insights for those in health & wellness fields to better their understanding of science, patients/clients, business, and trending health tips & technologies.The show interviews experts in various Fitness & Health realms and gives actionable tips for both the general public and the professional.LISTEN ONApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-trulyfit-podcast/id1559994164Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/27jDzRtFENn03QQRRFCf5wSUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@trulyfitappFOLLOW USInstagram: @trulyfitappFOLLOW STEVEInstagram: @stevewashuta_#fitness #health #personaltrainer #trulyfitapp #fitnesspodast #healthpodcast #coach #stevewashuta #fitpro #podcast #socialmedia  #blairsteel #psychology

I first became aware of media psychology in 2024 when I kept seeing media psychology training courses being advertised in The Psychologist magazine by the British Psychology Society. I had never heard of media psychology before but I checked out the courses and £100 wasn't a bad price. In the future, I might take one of the courses so I can deepen my understanding of what is media psychology, what do media psychologists do and the various roles that media psychologists play on production sets. However, until that time, in this cyberpsychology podcast episode, you'll explore what is media psychology, what topics do media psychologists study and more. If you're interested in the intersection between applied psychology, careers in psychology and technology then this will be a brilliant podcast episode for you.In the psychology news section, you'll learn the schoolyard effects of online misogyny, sensory atypicalities in Borderline Personality Disorder, and how a mother's immune during pregnancy could impact her child's dementia risk. LISTEN NOW!If you want to support the podcast, please check out:FREE AND EXCLUSIVE 8 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK BOXSET- https://www.subscribepage.io/psychologyboxsetCareers In Psychology: A Guide To Careers In Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Business Psychology and More- https://www.connorwhiteley.net/careers-in-psychology Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it. Also available as an AI-narrated audiobook from selected audiobook platforms and libraries systems. For example, Kobo, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Overdrive, Baker and Taylor and Bibliotheca. Patreon- patreon.com/ThePsychologyWorldPodcast#mediapsychology #psychologycareer #media #socialmedia #psychology #psychology_facts #psychologyfacts #psychologyfact #psychologystudent #psychologystudents #podcast #podcasts #short

How Media Shapes RealityJames Shanahan, a leading expert on cultivation theory, joins David Beckemeyer to explore how television, news, and social media influence public perception, fear, and political polarization. They discuss the Mean World Syndrome, the rise of outrage media, and how algorithms amplify division. Tune in to learn how media effects shape our world—and what we can do about it.Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, DavidSupport the showShow Notes:https://outrageoverload.net/ Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog or email outrageoverload@gmail.com. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.HOTLINE: 925-552-7885Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episodeIf you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That's the best way to support it.Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C.Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

Are We Finally Sick of the Media Outrage Machine?In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Selepak, media professor at the University of Florida, for an eye-opening conversation on the shifting landscape of media and its role in stoking public outrage. Selepak explains how the decline in trust toward traditional media stems from several factors, including the media's shift toward engagement-driven content, the erosion of investigative journalism, the rise of filter bubbles, and an increasingly fragmented media ecosystem. Together, they examine the psychological effects of an endless stream of outrage-filled headlines and the risks of a blurred line between news and entertainment.Selepak highlights the urgency of maintaining quality journalism and stresses the need for a comprehensive approach to address the challenges facing today's media landscape. Tune in for insights into what's driving today's media mistrust and how we can counteract its polarizing effects.Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, DavidSupport the showShow Notes:https://outrageoverload.net/ Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.HOTLINE: 925-552-7885Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episodeIf you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That's the best way to support it.Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverloadMany thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

Dr. Tunisha Singleton is my guest for this episode. Dr. Singleton is a Media Psychologist who studies the influence of the media and technology on the human sports experience which shapes fandom. We started talking about her podcast and how her interest in Media Psychology began. I asked her opinion on the media in covering sports and how can sports leagues do a better job being inclusive. Dr. Singleton also serves as the Board President of Black Girl Hockey Club and we talked about her role and the initiatives that have been developed during her tenure. I could not have ended the podcast without asking for some hot takes on sports, her sports bucket list and stories behind her hilarious tweets while watching sports. This was a fascinating conversation; I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! I appreciate Dr. Singleton for stopping by to drop some knowledge on the podcast! I Have Questions Podcast: Apple/Spotify/Twitter/Instagram Dr. Singleton's Social Media: TwitterInstagram Show music by DJ Cam One: Twitter/Instagram DJ Cam One's label: Mysteryismusic.com Mysterysoundrecordings.bandcamp.com DJ Cam One on Spotify Cover art by Xclusive Packaging & Design: InstagramEmail: x.pac.design@gmail.com Your host Uncle Dub: Bluesky/Twitter/InstagramPodcast Instagram Untappd (Beer Check-in app): ItsUncle_Dub Email: sportswagonpodcast@gmail.com Check out the Bald Head Logic podcast co-hosted with DJ Cam One Please consider supporting the podcast: Buy Me a Coffee Send a voicemail, subscribe, rate and tell a friend about the show! Thank you for listening!      

SHOW NOTES: On this show…we are making the effort to get beyond the offense as we seek the power of perspective. Are you quick to react and to respond, in hindsight, before you have all the information or fully understand the intent of the question or comment? This might be a hard question to answer most of this behavior is automatic and without prior thought. Reactive behavior often refers to an immediate response to feelings about an uncontrollable situation, a problem, or other issue. Being easily offended can often shut down meaningful dialogue and block personal growth. We've all been there, whether it's an offhanded comment or even something that feels more intentional and targeted. Think back to an instance you've faced. Did you react in a way that kept the dialogue going, asking good questions to understand the comment or question fully? Or, did you respond quickly, maybe even aggressively, shutting it down and removing yourself from the equation?  Either way, let's broaden our thinking as we focus on how reactionary offense often overlooks the context, intent, or deeper meaning behind someone's words or actions. Instead of retreating into defensiveness, we'll approach differing views with curiosity and openness, maintaining confidence in our own beliefs while seeking to understand the other side. Whether you're discussing religion, politics, or any number of social issues, today feels like we have adopted an us versus them mindset. We've heard terms like, you either stand for something or you stand for nothing, or you're either with us or against us. This tension is perpetuated by the media leading the listener to choose sides of this camp vs that camp. Each camp remains in a bubble of its own ideas, searching for members that agree, and content that aligns. Once your line has been drawn then any opinion that differs is quickly discounted or worse, labeled as conspiracy. Ouch. With this system, how can you possibly learn and grow?  So let's dig into some of these ideas and find strategies to avoid feeling personally attacked and instead focus on understanding where the other person is coming from. To understand why it's important to leave room for others to express themselves imperfectly, and how patience can lead to deeper understanding. To find common ground and how you can transform conversations from an “us vs. them” mindset into opportunities for connection and growth. And to explore how having confidence in your own beliefs, while staying open to new perspectives, can lead to personal and relational evolution. We better get started! Bernard J. Luskin kicks it off with The Media Psychology of Gaslighting and Social Change found at Psychology Today Tony Fahkry shares some ideas around: When We Are Easily Offended, We Close The Door To True Understanding, found on his blog Ella Powell discusses this very thing in her article; Challenging Opinions Important for Productive Discourse found on the Oberlin Review  Simon Sinek asks you to Try THIS the Next Time You Have an Uncomfortable Conversation, found on his YouTube channel Transforming conversations from an “us vs. them” mindset into opportunities for connection and growth requires deliberate strategies that foster mutual understanding and respect. Here are some effective strategies for finding common ground: Shift from Debate to Dialogue Focus on conversation, not competition: Instead of trying to “win” or prove your point, approach the discussion as an exchange of ideas where both parties can learn something new. This mindset change encourages openness. Ask more questions: Engage with genuine curiosity. By asking, “Can you explain more about how you see this?” you demonstrate a willingness to understand, not just argue. Identify Shared Values or Goals Highlight common interests: Look for areas where both parties agree, even if you differ on how to achieve them. For example, if discussing a divisive issue like policy, you might say, “It sounds like we both care about improving our community, even if we see different paths to get there.” Focus on universal values: Appeal to values that resonate with everyone, such as fairness, respect, or safety. These can act as touchpoints to ground the conversation in shared human concerns. Acknowledge Valid Points on Both Sides Validate where appropriate: Acknowledging that the other person's perspective has merit can diffuse tension and promote connection. For instance, “I can see why you'd feel that way because…” This shows respect for their viewpoint and encourages reciprocity. Recognize complexity: Instead of viewing issues as black-and-white, admit that most topics have nuances. Phrases like, “This is a complex issue, and I see how different experiences could lead to different perspectives,” can open the door to finding middle ground. Practice Active Listening Listen to understand, not to respond: Make sure the other person feels heard by fully focusing on what they're saying instead of planning your rebuttal. You could restate their points to confirm understanding, like, “So what I'm hearing is…” Pause before responding: Give yourself a moment to process what's been said before reacting. This helps prevent defensive replies and keeps the conversation thoughtful. Humanize the Other Side Personal stories over abstract arguments: Ask the other person to share personal experiences that shaped their beliefs. Stories make abstract issues feel real and relatable, fostering empathy. Sharing your own experiences can also make your stance more approachable. Find out more about their background: By asking, “What experiences have led you to that belief?” you create an environment where personal stories reveal why they think the way they do. This helps you understand their perspective on a deeper level. Reframe the Conflict as a Problem to Solve Together Collaborate, don't compete: Position the conversation as a joint effort to find solutions. Instead of arguing for individual positions, ask, “What do you think would be a good way to move forward that addresses both of our concerns?” Use inclusive language: Say “we” and “us” instead of “you” and “them” to remind the other person that you're both part of the same larger community or working toward a similar goal. Challenge Assumptions, Not Identities Focus on ideas, not people: When disagreements arise, critique the ideas or behavior, not the person. Avoid phrases that target identity or values, such as “You're wrong” or “You always think like that,” and instead say, “This particular idea doesn't resonate with me because…” Avoid stereotyping: Refrain from making assumptions about the other person's entire belief system based on one viewpoint. Ask clarifying questions to understand the specific nuance behind their opinion. Create a Safe Space for Vulnerability Set a respectful tone: Set ground rules for the conversation, ensuring that both parties feel safe to express their views without fear of ridicule. “I want this to be a space where we can explore ideas respectfully. Let's try to focus on understanding each other.” Admit when you're wrong: If you realize you've made a mistake or misunderstood something, admit it openly. This encourages the other person to do the same, making it easier to reach common ground. Look Beyond the Surface Conflict Ask “why” to get to deeper concerns: Instead of fixating on surface-level disagreements, probe deeper. Ask, “Why does this matter so much to you?” Often, the underlying concern is something more universal, like security, belonging, or fairness, which can help bridge gaps. Avoid binary thinking: When discussing divisive issues, don't frame the conversation as one person being right and the other wrong. Acknowledge that multiple perspectives can coexist and that it's possible to hold differing views without being enemies. End on a Positive Note Agree to disagree, respectfully: If the conversation doesn't result in full agreement, that's okay. It's important to acknowledge and respect differences while maintaining civility. Ending with, “I appreciate hearing your thoughts, and even though we don't fully agree, I value this conversation,” preserves the relationship. Summarize what you agree on: Before wrapping up, highlight any common points you've found. “So we both agree that [shared value], even if we see it differently, that's a great starting point.” Bonus Tip: Approach With Humility Be willing to learn: Embrace the mindset that every conversation is an opportunity for growth, not a battlefield. Accept that your understanding could evolve through dialogue and be open to revising your views when presented with compelling information or new perspectives. CHALLENGE: move beyond offense and embrace conversations as opportunities for growth. By listening with curiosity and seeking common ground, you can transform conflict into connection and open the door to deeper understanding.   I Know YOU Can Do It!

Social media has become a powerful force in shaping consumer behavior, offering unprecedented opportunities for sales, marketing, and business professionals to engage prospects and customers. But beyond simply sharing content, social media platforms tap into deep-seated psychological triggers that influence how people feel, think, and act. To truly harness social media’s potential, it's essential to …

In this episode of Wellbeing Science Labs, host Lu Ngo dives into the world of digital media literacy with psychologist and media expert Leah Selakovic, M.A. As we navigate the vast and often overwhelming digital landscape, the importance of critical thinking has never been more crucial.  Leah Selakovic, M.A is a psychologist holding a Master's Degree in Media Psychology. With a decade of experience in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) within corporate environments, she excels at fostering self-efficacy, resilience, and empowerment in her clients. She adopts a collaborative approach, helping individuals leverage their inherent strengths to navigate and thrive in the digital age. In this insightful discussion, Leah Selakovic, M.A shares her expert perspective on digital media literacy and the pivotal role of critical thinking today. She explains how critical thinking intertwines with media literacy, emphasizing its significance for mental and emotional well-being. She also addresses common challenges we face with online content and offers practical steps to enhance our digital media literacy. Tune in to discover how you can cultivate a more discerning mindset, improve your digital media literacy, and ultimately, lead a more empowered and informed digital life. This conversation is not to be missed for anyone looking to elevate their critical thinking skills in our media-saturated world. Connect with Leah Selakovic, M.A.'s social media on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahselakovic/   Website: https://www.sacac.sg/   Produced by the Wellbeing Science Labs, a division of LMSL, the Life Management Science Labs.  Explore LMSL at https://lifemanagementsciencelabs.com/ and visit http://we.lmsl.net/ for additional information about Wellbeing Science Labs. Follow us on social media to stay updated: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wellbeingsciencelabs   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellbeing.science.labs/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellbeing.science.labs/   LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/showcase/wellbeing-science-labs   Twitter: https://twitter.com/WeScienceLabs   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wellbeing.science.labs     Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/wellbeingsciencelabs/   You can also subscribe and listen to our podcasts on your preferred podcasting platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doing-well-the-wellbeing-science-insights-podcast/id1648515329   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/63Gni7VN4Ca6IicSuttwQL   Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7cd001d1-b7ba-4b22-a0f3-17c1a9c6e818/doing-well-the-wellbeing-science-insights-podcast   iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/338-doing-well-the-wellbeing-s-102890038/   Podbean: https://wellbeingscienceinsights.podbean.com/   PlayerFM: https://player.fm/series/3402363   Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/doing-well-the-wellbeing-scien-4914859  

Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We're breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.In this episode, Elena and Rob explore how the content of TV shows influences viewer perceptions of advertisements. They discuss new research on the "halo effect," and its implications for ad effectiveness across different TV genres.Topics covered:   [01:00] "The Influence of Television Content on Advertisement: A Neurophysiological Study" [03:15] Defining the halo effect in TV advertising[04:20] Impact of high-quality programs on ad perception[05:45] Ranking TV genres by brand value transfer[07:10] How different show types impact brand associations[08:50] The importance of engaging ads regardless of content  To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast  Resources: Frontiers in Psychology. (2024, February 1). The influence of television content on advertisement: A neurophysiological study. *Media Psychology*, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1266906   Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

This week, we're joined by media scholar and psychologist Soraya Giaccardi. She shares her work analyzing gender depictions in TV and helps Remoy and Samantha psychoanalyze their relationship to a TV classic and one of their faves, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”But first, Remoy walks us through some surprising facts about  boys' TV shows. Who are the leading characters in boys' TV shows? Remoy shares some stats from Soraya's seminal report (check it out; it's linked below) about how genders are represented in leading roles. Turns out that there is surprising parity among the binary genders in leading character representation.Girls being in leading roles is not as big a deterrent in boys' TV shows as we might collectively think… More on that later.Women and girls are way more represented than they used to be, but how much are current gender depictions on boys' TV shows challenging MASKulinity? The hosts discuss, with some valuable insights from our media scholar guest. LGBTQIA+ characters are still seldom the leading roles in boys' TV. Soraya hypothesizes why that might be… One factor that remains consistent is that boys remain perpetrators of violence on screen… and the victims of it. There's still so much work to do when it comes to men's and boys' representations on screen. While boys are disproportionately harmed on screen, we don't always see them processing that violence emotionally…Remoy draws key points from Soraya's report on how these depictions, or lack thereof, impact us boys in their real life.How exactly are boys' relationships with their close ones depicted on the small screen compared to their fellow femme characters? This all informs how they interpret gender.Soraya stresses the importance of deconstructing these stereotypes as boys intake them during formative years.Despite making so much headway in balancing the binary genders, boys continue to primarily show just one emotion on screen… You guessed it: anger.We watch TV a lot more than we used to as a society. It's available virtually at any time, on any nearby screen.How has that impacted the way we process TV shows? Soraya breaks down the connections between our viewership and our socialization in romantic and platonic relationships.Remoy and Samantha take a walk down memory lane, reflecting on one of their favorite TV shows, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Samantha shares how the show shaped her views of femininity and romantic relationships. Sue the woo! Track.Remoy looks back on a pivotal scene between Uncle Phil and Will. You'll recognize it when you hear it.Soraya's analysis highlights a critical knowledge on what supportive parenting can look like for boys as modeled by this touching scene.What show shaped your views of gender and romantic relationships? Let us know in the comments!In our Five Questions segment, the hosts go expectedly deeper.What does TV's impact look like in our lives?How does it manifest and what can we do about it? Soraya drops some key research findings about the way we relate to characters on screen. TV depictions aren't just impacting us unwittingly; characters and storylines on the small screen also allow us to access liberation in some ways… Soraya shares her own experience with TV as a youngster and how it can bridge us to worlds unknown, which for many of us, can be a connection to communities we long for. The surprising stats about women being more present on TV bring up an interesting point: if girls are just as likely to draw a boys' audience, why do we think that otherwise? Soraya cautions us about our own perceptions and how knowing the facts can shatter them. She stresses how controlling the narrative keeps us in the patriarchal loop of our own perceptions. Statistical facts humble us with the truth and can boys, men, masc folks, and all of us, really, closer to the truth.Soraya shares about this dream job marrying psychology and communications. We're glad she chose this route!Referenced in this episode:ENCORE: It *Was* Time to Loosen the Grip on Reproductive Freedom - Heidi Sieck schooled us on how controlling narratives led to the reversal of Roe vs. Wade..MASKulinity is making some people a lot of money - we talked about how women-led movies are of much better quality and get much better ratings than they get credit for…“If He Can See It, Will He Be It? Representations of Masculinity in Boys' Television”, the report Soraya wrote at the Geena Davis Institute in partnership with Equimundo and the Kering FoundationCultivation theory - read about TV impacts us over timeMedia Use and Men's Risk Behaviors: Examining the Role of Masculinity Ideology - cowritten by our illustrious scholar guest, Soraya GiaccardiCOMPANION PIECES:Trivia Night! Movie Time? Romance and Loneliness Edition - we talked about depictions of thoughtful fatherhood on screenRadicalization and TSwift - we talked with Jeff Perera about how men relate to women's jokesRomance MASKulinity: Getting the Girl… - we talked with Imran Siddiquee about what romance in movies teaches men and boys about masculinity

This week, we're joined by media scholar and psychologist Soraya Giaccardi. She shares her work analyzing gender depictions in TV and helps Remoy and Samantha psychoanalyze their relationship to a TV classic and one of their faves, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”But first, Remoy walks us through some surprising facts about  boys' TV shows. Who are the leading characters in boys' TV shows? Remoy shares some stats from Soraya's seminal report (check it out; it's linked below) about how genders are represented in leading roles. Turns out that there is surprising parity among the binary genders in leading character representation.Girls being in leading roles is not as big a deterrent in boys' TV shows as we might collectively think… More on that later.Women and girls are way more represented than they used to be, but how much are current gender depictions on boys' TV shows challenging MASKulinity? The hosts discuss, with some valuable insights from our media scholar guest. LGBTQIA+ characters are still seldom the leading roles in boys' TV. Soraya hypothesizes why that might be… One factor that remains consistent is that boys remain perpetrators of violence on screen… and the victims of it. There's still so much work to do when it comes to men's and boys' representations on screen. While boys are disproportionately harmed on screen, we don't always see them processing that violence emotionally…Remoy draws key points from Soraya's report on how these depictions, or lack thereof, impact us boys in their real life.How exactly are boys' relationships with their close ones depicted on the small screen compared to their fellow femme characters? This all informs how they interpret gender.Soraya stresses the importance of deconstructing these stereotypes as boys intake them during formative years.Despite making so much headway in balancing the binary genders, boys continue to primarily show just one emotion on screen… You guessed it: anger.We watch TV a lot more than we used to as a society. It's available virtually at any time, on any nearby screen.How has that impacted the way we process TV shows? Soraya breaks down the connections between our viewership and our socialization in romantic and platonic relationships.Remoy and Samantha take a walk down memory lane, reflecting on one of their favorite TV shows, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Samantha shares how the show shaped her views of femininity and romantic relationships. Sue the woo! Track.Remoy looks back on a pivotal scene between Uncle Phil and Will. You'll recognize it when you hear it.Soraya's analysis highlights a critical knowledge on what supportive parenting can look like for boys as modeled by this touching scene.What show shaped your views of gender and romantic relationships? Let us know in the comments!In our Five Questions segment, the hosts go expectedly deeper.What does TV's impact look like in our lives?How does it manifest and what can we do about it? Soraya drops some key research findings about the way we relate to characters on screen. TV depictions aren't just impacting us unwittingly; characters and storylines on the small screen also allow us to access liberation in some ways… Soraya shares her own experience with TV as a youngster and how it can bridge us to worlds unknown, which for many of us, can be a connection to communities we long for. The surprising stats about women being more present on TV bring up an interesting point: if girls are just as likely to draw a boys' audience, why do we think that otherwise? Soraya cautions us about our own perceptions and how knowing the facts can shatter them. She stresses how controlling the narrative keeps us in the patriarchal loop of our own perceptions. Statistical facts humble us with the truth and can boys, men, masc folks, and all of us, really, closer to the truth.Soraya shares about this dream job marrying psychology and communications. We're glad she chose this route!Referenced in this episode:ENCORE: It *Was* Time to Loosen the Grip on Reproductive Freedom - Heidi Sieck schooled us on how controlling narratives led to the reversal of Roe vs. Wade..MASKulinity is making some people a lot of money - we talked about how women-led movies are of much better quality and get much better ratings than they get credit for…“If He Can See It, Will He Be It? Representations of Masculinity in Boys' Television”, the report Soraya wrote at the Geena Davis Institute in partnership with Equimundo and the Kering FoundationCultivation theory - read about TV impacts us over timeMedia Use and Men's Risk Behaviors: Examining the Role of Masculinity Ideology - cowritten by our illustrious scholar guest, Soraya GiaccardiCOMPANION PIECES:Trivia Night! Movie Time? Romance and Loneliness Edition - we talked about depictions of thoughtful fatherhood on screenRadicalization and TSwift - we talked with Jeff Perera about how men relate to women's jokesRomance MASKulinity: Getting the Girl… - we talked with Imran Siddiquee about what romance in movies teaches men and boys about masculinity

Dr. Nelly Farnoody-Zahiri is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in working with Children, Youth & their Families. In her practice, she focuses on helping children and their families Cultivate Peace, and Good Mental Health using Family Prevention and Early Intervention Modalities.  She has been in Clinical Practice, and teaching Peace Learning Parenting Groups, and Toddler Groups for over ten years. She co-hosted Momtalk LA, and Peace Learning Parenting on American Farsi Network in 2012.  She has conducted presentations at conferences and seminars, such as the Mental Health Summit on Biculturalism, and Early Childhood Development.  She has also been involved with the International Society For Traumatic Stress Studies. Attributing her success to her hard work, good education and persistence, Dr. Farnoody-Zahiri became involved in her profession through her passion for working with children and families. Dr. Farnoody-Zahiri is a member of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, as well as the American Psychological Association. She is affiliated with both Division 46 Peace Psychology and Division 48 Media Psychology.

Dr. Nelly Farnoody-Zahiri is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in working with Children, Youth & their Families. In her practice, she focuses on helping children and their families Cultivate Peace, and Good Mental Health using Family Prevention and Early Intervention Modalities.  She has been in Clinical Practice, and teaching Peace Learning Parenting Groups, and Toddler Groups for over ten years. She co-hosted Momtalk LA, and Peace Learning Parenting on American Farsi Network in 2012.  She has conducted presentations at conferences and seminars, such as the Mental Health Summit on Biculturalism, and Early Childhood Development.  She has also been involved with the International Society For Traumatic Stress Studies. Attributing her success to her hard work, good education and persistence, Dr. Farnoody-Zahiri became involved in her profession through her passion for working with children and families. Dr. Farnoody-Zahiri is a member of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, as well as the American Psychological Association. She is affiliated with both Division 46 Peace Psychology and Division 48 Media Psychology.

Dr. Nelly Farnoody-Zahiri is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in working with Children, Youth & their Families. In her practice, she focuses on helping children and their families Cultivate Peace, and Good Mental Health using Family Prevention and Early Intervention Modalities.  She has been in Clinical Practice, and teaching Peace Learning Parenting Groups, and Toddler Groups for over ten years. She co-hosted Momtalk LA, and Peace Learning Parenting on American Farsi Network in 2012.  She has conducted presentations at conferences and seminars, such as the Mental Health Summit on Biculturalism, and Early Childhood Development.  She has also been involved with the International Society For Traumatic Stress Studies. Attributing her success to her hard work, good education and persistence, Dr. Farnoody-Zahiri became involved in her profession through her passion for working with children and families. Dr. Farnoody-Zahiri is a member of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, as well as the American Psychological Association. She is affiliated with both Division 46 Peace Psychology and Division 48 Media Psychology.

Dr. Jessica Gall Myrick was a 3 time all American distance runner while at Indiana University and went on to become a social scientist and full professor at Penn State University. We talk about her work studying Media Psychology and health and given her running background we dive into how it relates to women's sports- which she is equipped to speak on. In 2020 she did a study to see what happens to audiences when commentators use sexist language around women's sport .Links to Jessica's published works including her text book and her articles via her website emotionsandmedia.com. She's also currently needing feedback for a study on college athletes so we link her survey as well https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5zOXFRNpB19RFdk Recap and links are posted at our site as always www.keeping-track.com

No matter what your age is, you're probably caught up in the 24-hour news cycle, the internet, social media, and doom scrolling. You probably spend a lot of your day with a screen in front of you, and that affects us socially, emotionally, and mentally. Today's guest gives Eddie and Chris some insight into what the church can offer in our media-saturated world.Dr. Angela Patterson is media psychologist, writer, and researcher with Springtide Research Institute, nonpartisan nonprofit organization. She earned her doctorate in media psychology from Fielding, where she focused on how media and technology affect cultural institutions. Her research centers on the impact of digital media in adolescents and young adults, especially in regards to religious and spiritual development. Her work with Springtide Research focuses on 13- to 25-year-olds, to give them a voice and to help others learn from them and serve them as we all figure out what's next.Resources:Dr. Angela Patterson's websiteFollow her on InstagramSpringtide Research Institute's websiteFollow Springtide on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Tina talks with Aiden, a research leader and digital strategy consultant. They discuss the combined power of grounded theory and continuous discovery in UX research. Aiden shares their experiences and perspectives on how these methodologies enrich the understanding of user needs, driving innovation in user-centric design while exploring the interplay between teamwork and individual efforts in research.

Lindsay Hahn studies how entertainment media convey moral messages, especially among children. She's an assistant professor of communication at the University at Buffalo, where she leads the Media Psychology and Morality Lab. We talk about her background, how her team surveys media for the moral lessons they communicate, and how her new work is turning an eye to terrorist propaganda.Things that come up in this episode:Mr. Rogers' testimony before a Senate subcommittee.Content analyses of children's entertainment media (Aley et al., 2021; Hahn, 2022; Hahn et al., 2022a)Effects of media on children's and adolescents' morality (Hahn et al., 2022b; 2022a)Analyses of terrorist propaganda (Hahn et al., 2023b)For a transcript of this episode, visit this episode's page at: http://opinionsciencepodcast.com/episodes/Learn more about Opinion Science at http://opinionsciencepodcast.com/ and follow @OpinionSciPod on Twitter.

Catherine Seo, PhD is the Co-Director of the Lipedema Project and Founder and Director of Lipedema Simplified, LLC. She is also the producer and director of the documentary The Disease They Call FAT. When confronted with almost certain immobility and complications from misdiagnosed lipedema, Dr. Seo traveled the world interviewing patients, doctors, surgeons, and experts and developed the film from her findings.Dr. Seo holds a doctorate in Media Psychology. Her research has been focused on empowering women who experience distortions of body image represented in the media by applying self-compassion and other meditation techniques. She is currently working on a book about lipedema and developing a series of online courses for patients and healthcare professionals.www.lipedema-simplified.org

Gary was part of the first generation to have home video games, and can still remember his Odyssey game console while everyone else was getting an Atari. You might say that left a mark. But he also remembers the fun that you could have just by sitting in front of the television, or computer, and playing some video games. As the games evolved, so did the fun. New consoles and new games meant better graphics, enhanced video, and bigger challenges. Even today he can say with pride that I did knock out Mike Tyson in that video game.We might say that the “game” has definitely changed in video game design. Video games today can look like movies, and play like them too. Rich narratives, development characters, seemingly live action, complicated controllers that let you feel like you are part of the game itself. All of it has come together to make the gaming industry a multi-billion dollar enterprise with expanded job opportunities, AAA design studios, and an ever-increasing universe of games to play.This raises the question of how are these games designed to create great experiences? Additionally, what are the potential challenges and issues with the ways in which games have been designed from perspectives that are not diverse.To discuss these questions and more, we welcome Dr. Jess Tompkins to the Experience by Design studios. We were able to see Jess speak at the 2023 SXSW conference on a panel on diversity in game design. Jess is the UX Research Director at Skeleton Key, a game design studio. She also has a PhD in Media Psychology, with a dissertation that explored the social psychological effects of video games and avatars on self-identified women. At Skeleton Key, she pursues a human-centric approach to game design, using player data and insights to create the best games possible.We explore how video game design is evolving to be more inclusive. We also discuss how video games can be the foundation for forming online communities. She emphasizes the importance of user-centered and participatory design frameworks to be more responsive to player needs and wants, as well as to think about the larger impacts that games can have on people's psyches. Finally, we discuss how there is an emerging and growing demand for video games to tell more diverse stories that represent cultures of the world, especially as video games continue to grow globally.

The always charming and witty Kyle Green (Ph.D. in Sociology) and Tunisha Singleton (Ph.D. in Media Psychology) join the show to discuss the sports stories from the summer that are on our minds! Topics range from Las Vegas as a professional sports center point, watching big games and matches at Stadium Swim, the continued failures of UFC as an institution, and the misguided UNITUS apparel launch. Throughout the episode, we collectively feel all of the anger, frustration and excitement around our fandom and process it together. You can follow Tunisha on Twitter @TSingletonSay and Kyle @kylethegreen. More new episodes of Dear Adam Silver coming soon so please subscribe and share!

In this episode of Ctrl+Alt+Delete with Lisa Duerre™ - Lisa gets personal as she discusses her journey of discovering that she's been living with a disease known as Lipedema, a misunderstood and underdiagnosed condition affecting as many as 1 in 11 women. Her guests, Dr. Matthew Carmody, & Catherine Seo, Ph.D., and their example of a new collaborative approach to Lipedema research are, in part, the reason Lisa was able to effectively engage her own doctor to explore the possibility of a Lipedema diagnosis, maintain her mobility and reclaim her voice as she manages the symptoms that come from living with this disease. Their work & research have led the way in redefining the doctor/patient relationship when it comes to vulnerability in leadership, appreciative inquiry, self-advocacy & unlocking the collective wisdom within a complex system. This rich discussion offers tons of practical tools to manage the great unknown of the BANI World and lands on one universal truth in both healthcare & tech: innovation happens when leaders don't have all the answers... OUR GUESTS: Dr. Matthew Carmody Dr. Carmody is a retired primary care physician (37 yrs), teacher, and small-scale systems researcher. He practiced at Mount Auburn Hospital and taught interns, residents, and Harvard medical students. He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and has a Diplomate in Obesity Medicine. He continues to be intensely interested in Obesity Medicine and has a special interest in Lipedema, a distinct type of obesity. Dr. Carmody is one of the authors of Lipedema - The Disease They Call FAT: An Overview for Clinicians. Catherine Seo, Ph.D. Catherine Seo, PhD is the producer and director of the documentary The Disease They Call FAT. When confronted with almost certain immobility and complications from misdiagnosed lipedema, she traveled the world interviewing other patients, doctors, surgeons, and experts, looking for answers. The documentary is this story. Catherine's research is focused on empowering women who experience the distortions of body image as represented in the media applying self-compassion and other meditation techniques. Catherine holds a doctorate in Media Psychology and is the Founder and Director of Lipedema Simplified, LLC. and the Lipedema Project. Stay Connected: Dr. Matthew Carmody's book: Lipedema - The Disease They Call FAT: An Overview for Clinicians. Lipedema Simplified Website: https://lipedema-simplified.org/ The Disease They Call Fat documentary    • Lipedema - The Di...   Upcoming Lipedema Conference: https://learn.lipedema-simplified.org... RLD Group's website: https://rldgroupllc.com RLD Group's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rldg... RLD Group on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rldgroupllc Lisa Duerre on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaduerre/ Ctrl+Alt+Delete with Lisa Duerre™ on YouTube:    / @realtalkwithlisa  

WITH Dr. Don Grant, 2022 President of the American Psychological Association, Society for Media Psychology and Technology and Chair of the American Psychological Association, Device Management and Intelligence Committee and National Advisor of Healthy Device Management for Newport Healthcare          Did you know we're currently in the midst of a national mental health crisis for teens and young adults? Sadly, it's true. Over the past few years, we've seen a dramatic increase in the number of teen suicides along with soaring rates of teenage depression, substance abuse, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, and self-harming behaviors. Suicide is now the third-leading cause of death among 15‒24-year-olds, exceeded only by accidental deaths and homicide. A 2021 study found that 48% of young people admitted to struggling with mental health issues and more than one-third of those went untreated. A recent study conducted by the National Institute of Health indicated that for young children diagnosed with depression and anxiety, approximately half of their mental health issues were evident by age 14.   Although psychological counseling and medication are available for children as young as five years of age who have clinically diagnosed mental problems, roughly two-thirds of these children have not received treatment or proper medical intervention. Perhaps now, more than ever before, we need to be aware of the warning signs and symptoms so that vulnerable, at-risk young people can feel supported and understood and get the early intervention they may need.   If you want to learn more about how we can help young people who may be struggling with mental health issues, please listen to my interview with Dr. Don Grant, 2022 President of the American Psychological Association, Society for Media Psychology and Technology, and Chair of the American Psychological Association, Device Management, and Intelligence Committee.   What You'll Hear in This Episode: What are some of the primary mental health disorders for teens and young adults? What happened in 2012 for us to see a spike in depression, anxiety, and suicide? What are some of the symptoms that parents and educators have to watch out for? What are some of the primary mental health disorders for teens and young adults? How to notice if your kids are suffering from what Don calls #compare and #despair. What to do if you notice a difference in your child's social media. How can filters on social media damage a teen's self-confidence and self-image? How can parents talk to their kids about online bullying? What is the online disinhibition effect? What are cyberbullying and cyber aggression? The three different people that can be involved in a cyber-aggressive act, whether it's in real life or online. What parents need to know before they give their kids their first device.   Today's Takeaway: A variety of factors such as poverty, fear of global warming along with the pandemic, and excessive consumption of social media have contributed to the rise in mental health issues for young people and adults. Increased rates of low self-esteem, stress, and anxiety have left this generation far more vulnerable to incidents of bullying, fears of being ostracized, and chronic depression. Young people who experience recurring incidents of abuse or chronic neglect or witness domestic violence, or parental mental health or substance abuse problems are particularly vulnerable. The increasing number of children as young as ten years old attempting suicide is a particularly alarming statistic. There is help available but early intervention is critical. Teaching young children to modify their thoughts and behavior is far more effective at an early age. Inpatient programs may offer the best chance of success. It's important we don't allow shame or stigmatization to take precedence over obtaining early treatment and intervention for a young person in crisis. Remember every day is a gift and the gift we get from recognizing when a young person is struggling and getting them the help they need can make a huge difference not only in their childhood but also in their mental health as an adult as well. I'm Florine Mark and that's “Today's Takeaway.”   Quotes: “Look at your kids and their behavior. If you see a big change, then certainly investigate what's going on.” — Don “We have to remember, social media is completely self-curated, we can create that store window in any way we want.” — Don  “If anyone, and especially a teenager is posting anything on social media, what do they need? Why are they putting it out there? — Don “It's the kid and adults as well. They have FOMO. They're feeling like they're not current. They're feeling like they're not relevant.” — Don “Cyberbullying is part of cyber aggression, and it can look a lot of different ways.” — Don “The first thing I tell parents is: model behavior.” — Don “There is no seat belt for social media.” — Don   Brought to You By: Florine Mark   Mentioned in This Episode: American Psychological Association

Growing up in a digital world involves new challenges tied to protecting your children's privacy, self-esteem and exposure to the darker side of the Internet. Kellee talks with Diana Graber, co-founder of Cyberwise, on how to help you, to help your children build a healthy relationship with technology. Diana Graber is the founder of Cyber Civics and co-founder of CyberWise. She is also the author of "Raising Human in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology." (HarperCollins Leadership, '19). An expert on digital literacy, Graber writes, presents, and is interviewed about  technology's impact upon human behavior. Her no-nonsense approach comes from being an educator, media producer, academic, and most of all, a mom.She developed (and still teaches) Cyber Civics, the popular middle school digital literacy program currently being taught in schools in 48 US states and internationally. She's served as Adjunct Faculty, teaching Media Psychology to graduate students. Her paper, New Media Literacies: A Developmental Approach, was published in the Journal of Media Literacy Education (JMLE). Graber has a B.A. in Communication Studies from UCLA and an M.A. in Media Psychology and Social Change from Fielding Graduate University. She was a finalist for the NAMLE Research Emerging Scholar Award in 2011. Her Cyber Civics program has been recognized as an "Innovation in Education" finalist by Project Tomorrow and the O.C. Tech Alliance. She was honored with the "2017 Media Literacy Teacher" Award from the National Association of Media Literacy Education (NAMLE). Her expertise has been featured in leading media outlets including New York Times and Psychology Today. 

Tyrone D. Dixon graduated from the American Film Institute (AFI) in the Producing Program. Has produced and directed music videos and short films while as an executive for Russell Simmons' Def Pictures. Dr. Dixon was a producer and director on Emmy nominated TV show Cool Women with Executive Producer Debbie Allen. Tyrone acted as Line Producer on the production of the Oscar nominated documentary Tupac Resurrection. Additionally, he's produced and directed the award wining documentary 8 Wheels And Some Soul Brotha Music as well as a Producer for the hit film Roll Bounce. Mr. Dixon is presently attached to direct the Dikajada Films project SCOUTS, The chronicles of troop 242. A coming of age comedy about a struggling TROOP, produced by Preston Holmes. Additionally, Dr. Dixon earned a PhD in Media Psychology and continues To teach film production at Texas Southern University.

David Giles is a Reader in Media Psychology. After working for several years as a freelance music journalist for publications such as NME and the Independent, David studied Psychology at the University of Manchester and did a PhD with the University of Bristol looking at children's spelling. David has areas of expertise in media influence on human behavior and the impact of fame and celebrity. David has become increasingly interested in the way that social media have transformed the relationship between celebrities and audiences, and his latest work looks at the way these developments challenge many of the assumptions of media and audience research. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/out-of-the-blank-podcast/support

Plus: soccer, a weeb calls in, and more Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

Dr. Liana Georgoulis is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Founder, and Clinical Director of Coast Psychological Services, a private mental health practice in Los Angeles. She has successfully been working with adults and couples for over 15 years. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Liana has a passion for Media Psychology and has consulted as a psychological expert for various media outlets including Buzzfeed and KABC, and has authored over 50 mental health articles on Wikihow.   Coast Psychological Services Dr. Liana Georgoulis ------ Instagram Facebook

Let's talk about how to create more CLIENTS using social media.  In this episode, I break down the 5 Stages of Awareness and how to use this sales psychology  framework as the backbone for your social media content strategy!***FREE Mini Training next week*** Your 6-Figure Schedule:  https://bit.ly/6figscheduleFor COACHES, CONSULTANTS, COURSE CREATORS and ONLINE SERVICES PROVIDERS:

Dr. Carrie Perry earned her Ph.D. in Media Psychology from Fielding Graduate University.  Her academic background and employment experience includes all aspects of Mass Mediated Communications including print, digital, and film. She has been a teacher, stockbroker, professor, and entrepreneur. With the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdown, Carrie's focus turned toward home, specifically, the kitchen. Thoughts of “now is a good time to do something different” she started cooking, canning, and baking. Lots of baking. With encouragement of friends and family, Sweet Talk Desserts was born. With baking experience that spans about 40 years, her desserts include, pies, cakes, jellies, and caramel apples. Her promise is that she sells “love in every bite.”  -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com. Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews... YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m #orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, questions@townsquaretalk.org or @townsquaretalk. When the trailer for the live-action remake of Disney's The Little Mermaid was released online, outrage was sparked by individuals upset over the casting of a black actress as Ariel. Many others celebrated the casting, as it could inspire young black girls seeing a beloved character like Ariel, played by someone who looks like them. Joining us to discuss the controversy over the casting and her thoughts on diversity in the arts is someone who understands what Halle Bailey is going through. Delphi Borich is Japanese American, and played Ariel in the recent Theater Under the Stars stage production of The Little Mermaid. We also talk with media experts who offer their perspectives on representation and creating more opportunities for underrepresented groups in media and pop culture. Guests: Delphi Borich Broadway Actress Dr. Ninochka McTaggart Sociologist Diversity and Inclusion Specialist Former Director of Research & Outreach, Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media Author, White Privilege: The Persistence of Racial Hierarchy in a Culture Of Denial Dr. Tyrone D. Dixon Film Producer & Director Media Psychologist Professor, Texas Southern University Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day's most important and pressing issues. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

In this episode, Antony Barone Kolenc interviews child psychologist and dystopian author Jacqueline Brown about the psychological impact of media on our youth, and we review The Green Ember series, by S.D. Smith.

Dr. Kathryn Stamoulis is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Educational Psychologist based in New York.  She is an expert in female adolescent sexual development and sexualized violence. In her role as a counselor, she has worked with both victims of sexual harassment and abuse, as well as perpetrators. She also teaches and has served as an adjunct psychology professor at Hunter College in New York City. She is a former president of the American Psychological Association Society for Media Psychology and currently serves on its board.  Of late, her work has focused on educating the public on sexual grooming and spreading awareness surrounding the psychological manipulation techniques sexual predators employ. Sexual abuse thrives in a culture of silence, and Kathryn is driven by the knowledge that openly discussing issues around sexuality with young people will reduce the rate of sexualized violence as well as improve their lives in countless other ways. Kathryn often appears in the media, talking about current events and research surrounding adolescent sexuality. She has consulted on the Jeffrey Epstein case, and was featured in the Netflix docuseries Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich. Additionally, she has been featured in many media outlets including MSNBC, The New York Times, NPR, The BBC and Chicago Tribune. Support the show

Robby joins Bill Heinrich as a guest speaker on the podcast Mindset in Motion to discuss “what (the heck) the metaverse is,” and how it may modify the learning experience through a range of new virtual experiences, avatar identities, and accessibility in post-secondary education. About the SPARTIE Lab:The Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab performs research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how the use of media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influences meaningful outcomes (e.g., education, health/safety, persuasion). The SPARTIE Lab is part of the greater academic community at the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. More information on the lab's research projects, staff, and work can be found on the SPARTIE Lab website. About the host:Dr. Rabindra (Robby) Ratan, Ph. D., is an associate professor and AT&T Scholar at Michigan State University's Department of Media and Information and is the director of the SPARTIE Lab. He is also an affiliated faculty member of the MSU Department of Psychology, the MSU College of Education's program in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology, and the MSU Center for Gender in a Global Context. Ratan received his Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, his M.A. in Communication from Stanford University, and his B.A. in Science, Technology and Society, also from Stanford University. Dr. Ratan conducts research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influence meaningful outcomes (e.g., persuasion, education, health/safety).  He is particularly interested in the Proteus effect, media-rich transportation contexts, perceptions of media as self-representations and/or social others, avatarification for health and education, and gender stereotypes in gaming contexts. Dr. Ratan lives near Lansing with his family. More information on his work can be found on his website. 

This is a recording of a talk Robby gave at Carnegie Mellon University this month. Can you guess one truth against the two lies in this talk title? [Spoilers ahead] The meatverse may have become enamored with the concept of the metaverse during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the term “metaverse” is three decades old and the concept even older. What is so meta-different now? Do we finally have access to an interconnected universe of immersive virtual worlds powered by decentralized platforms that facilitate private ownership over digital goods!? No! Can we teach classes in virtual reality headsets? Yes, and I did so for the first time in spring 2022! Does this mean the end of the Zoom fatigue era? Maybe, but unlikely! During this talk, I will describe my VR class, my recent research on perceptions of the metaverse, and my research on zoom fatigue as an issue of gender and racial equity. I will connect these studies to questions about how avatars may serve as an important facet of improving equity and inclusion in virtual meetings, particularly through the Proteus effect (the phenomenon that people conform behaviorally to their avatars' identity characteristics). About the SPARTIE Lab:The Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab performs research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how the use of media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influences meaningful outcomes (e.g., education, health/safety, persuasion). The SPARTIE Lab is part of the greater academic community at the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. More information on the lab's research projects, staff, and work can be found on the SPARTIE Lab website. About the host:Dr. Rabindra (Robby) Ratan, Ph. D., is an associate professor and AT&T Scholar at Michigan State University's Department of Media and Information and is the director of the SPARTIE Lab. He is also an affiliated faculty member of the MSU Department of Psychology, the MSU College of Education's program in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology, and the MSU Center for Gender in a Global Context. Ratan received his Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, his M.A. in Communication from Stanford University, and his B.A. in Science, Technology and Society, also from Stanford University. Dr. Ratan conducts research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influence meaningful outcomes (e.g., persuasion, education, health/safety).  He is particularly interested in the Proteus effect, media-rich transportation contexts, perceptions of media as self-representations and/or social others, avatarification for health and education, and gender stereotypes in gaming contexts. Dr. Ratan lives near Lansing with his family. More information on his work can be found on his website.

Why are we so addicted to the news media, especially when it's bad? What does it do to read about so much negativity all the time? How do we detach for our own peace of mind? Find out in this week's episode. Music from the Episode: "Sour Grapes" by Larissa Seay Dashjian (under the moniker The 8th House). https://www.musicglue.com/the8thhouse/shop References Balzarotti, S., & Cicero, M. R. (2014). News reports of catastrophes and viewers' fear: Threat appraisal of positively and negatively framed events. Media Psychology, 17, 357–377. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2013.826588 Baumeister, R. F., Bratslavsky, E., Finkenauer, C., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Bad is stronger than good. Review of general psychology, 5(4), 323-370. Bodas, M., Siman-Tov, M., Peleg, K., & Solomon, Z. (2015). Anxiety-inducing media: The effect of constant news broadcasting on the well-being of Israeli television viewers. Psychiatry, 78(3), 265-276. Boukes, M., & Vliegenthart, R. (2017). News consumption and its unpleasant side effect. Journal of Media Psychology, 29(3), 137-147. de Hoog, N., & Verboon, P. (2020). Is the news making us unhappy? The influence of daily news exposure on emotional states. British Journal of Psychology, 111(2), 157-173. Leetaru, K. (2011). Culturomics 2.0: Forecasting large-scale human behavior using global news media tone in time and space. First Monday. McIntyre, K. E., & Gibson, R. (2016). Positive news makes readers feel good: A “silver-lining” approach to negative news can attract audiences. Southern Communication Journal, 81, 304– 315. https://doi.org/10.1080/1041794X.2016.1171892 Trussler, M., & Soroka, S. (2014). Consumer demand for cynical and negative news frames. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 19(3), 360-379.

Games have been serving up killer apps for new tech since the early days of model railroads, maybe longer. It's 1982, what do I do with this home computer thing? …mostly play some games! Thus, it should come as no surprise that the video games of recent decades have provided foundational technologies for the impending less-gamey, more-workey metaverse. And so who better to help parse this inevitable metaversatile future than expert Game Studies researchers!? Dr. Trammell, Dr. Williams, and I discuss a range of topics related to this question of connections between video games and the metaverse, from issues of equity and inclusion to the epistemological nature of technology development and adoption. We imagine a future metaverse—facilitated by augmented reality technologies—that layers on top of our meatspace world, enriching but also stratifying social interactions. We also talk about how games provide a safe space for experimentation with new technologies that facilitates a sort of evolution by sociotechnical selection, helping to identify which user experiences are likely to be most compelling in more serious (e.g., business) contexts. For more on our guests, please see: dmitriwilliams.comaarontrammell.com@aarontram About the SPARTIE Lab:The Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab performs research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how the use of media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influences meaningful outcomes (e.g., education, health/safety, persuasion).The SPARTIE Lab is part of the greater academic community at the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. More information on the lab's research projects, staff, and work can be found on the SPARTIE Lab website.About the host:Dr. Rabindra (Robby) Ratan, Ph. D., is an associate professor and AT&T Scholar at Michigan State University's Department of Media and Information and is the director of the SPARTIE Lab.He is also an affiliated faculty member of the MSU Department of Psychology, the MSU College of Education's program in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology, and the MSU Center for Gender in a Global Context. Ratan received his Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, his M.A. in Communication from Stanford University, and his B.A. in Science, Technology and Society, also from Stanford University.Dr. Ratan conducts research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influence meaningful outcomes (e.g., persuasion, education, health/safety).  He is particularly interested in the Proteus effect, media-rich transportation contexts, perceptions of media as self-representations and/or social others, avatarification for health and education, and gender stereotypes in gaming contexts.Dr. Ratan lives near Lansing with his family. More information on his work can be found on his website.

Psychologist Skip Rizzo conducts research on the design, development and evaluation of virtual reality (VR) systems targeting the areas of clinical assessment, treatment rehabilitation and resilience. This work spans the domains of psychological, cognitive and motor functioning in both healthy and clinical populations. Rizzo, whose work using virtual reality-based exposure therapy to treat PTSD received the American Psychological Association's 2010 Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Treatment of Trauma, is the associate director for medical virtual reality at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies. He also holds research professor appointments with the USC Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and at the USC Davis School of Gerontology. Rizzo is working with a team that is creating artificially intelligent virtual patients that clinicians can use to practice skills required for challenging clinical interviews and diagnostic assessments. His cognitive work has addressed the use of VR applications to test and train attention, memory, visuospatial abilities and executive function. In the motor domain, he has developed VR game systems to address physical rehabilitation post stroke and traumatic brain injury and for prosthetic use training. He is currently designing VR scenarios to address social and vocational interaction in persons with autistic spectrum disorder. Rizzo is currently examining the use of VR applications for training emotional coping skills with the aim of preparing service members for the stresses of combat. He is senior editor of the MIT Press journal, Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments. He also sits on a number of editorial boards for journals in the areas of cognition and computer technology (Cognitive Technology; Journal of Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds; Media Psychology) and is the creator of the Virtual Reality Mental Health Email Listserve (VRPSYCH).

Special guest: Diana Graber. Are you concerned with how much screen time your kids are using? What kind of digital reputation they are creating or how their self-esteem in being impacted by certain apps, cyberbullying, sexting or exposure to possible predators? How about clickbait, deep fakes, fake news or the like? There's a lot of information out there and it's here to stay. We can't stick our heads in the sand and simply say, “I wish all of this technology didn't exist” or “I remember when I was young and didn't have to contend with that- can't we just go back?” This is when and where our children live. The cyber world is just “their world.” We need to know how to navigate it and help our children navigate it with confidence, responsibility and knowledge. They need to learn how to become tech savvy and cyberwise. For this discussion, we are going to talk to our friend, Diana Graber, for a second time. There's been a lot since last we talked! Diana is the author of "Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology"(HarperCollins Leadership '19), co-founder of CyberWise (aka, No Grownup Left Behind!) and founder of Cyber Civics, the popular middle school digital literacy curriculum. Today Cyber Civics is taught in schools in 48 US states and internationally, and it was honored as an "Innovation in Education" finalist by Project Tomorrow and the O.C. Tech Alliance. Graber is a regular contributor on digital media topics for Psychology Today and others, and is regularly interviewed by the media regarding tech topics. She's been an Adjunct Professor of Media Psychology teaching "Media Psychology for the 21st Century" and she presents regularly (virtually since COVID) to schools and community organizations across the US and she also conducts teacher workshops. The post How to Help Kids Build Healthy Technology Habits with Diana Graber appeared first on drrobynsilverman.com.

Special guest: Diana Graber. Are you concerned with how much screen time your kids are using? What kind of digital reputation they are creating or how their self-esteem in being impacted by certain apps, cyberbullying, sexting or exposure to possible predators? How about clickbait, deep fakes, fake news or the like? There's a lot of information out there and it's here to stay. We can't stick our heads in the sand and simply say, “I wish all of this technology didn't exist” or “I remember when I was young and didn't have to contend with that- can't we just go back?” This is when and where our children live. The cyber world is just “their world.” We need to know how to navigate it and help our children navigate it with confidence, responsibility and knowledge. They need to learn how to become tech savvy and cyberwise. For this discussion, we are going to talk to our friend, Diana Graber, for a second time. There's been a lot since last we talked! Diana is the author of "Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology"(HarperCollins Leadership '19), co-founder of CyberWise (aka, No Grownup Left Behind!) and founder of Cyber Civics, the popular middle school digital literacy curriculum. Today Cyber Civics is taught in schools in 48 US states and internationally, and it was honored as an "Innovation in Education" finalist by Project Tomorrow and the O.C. Tech Alliance. Graber is a regular contributor on digital media topics for Psychology Today and others, and is regularly interviewed by the media regarding tech topics. She's been an Adjunct Professor of Media Psychology teaching "Media Psychology for the 21st Century" and she presents regularly (virtually since COVID) to schools and community organizations across the US and she also conducts teacher workshops. The post How to Help Kids Build Healthy Technology Habits with Diana Graber appeared first on drrobynsilverman.com.

Today I welcome Kimberley Bissell and Jiyoung Lee. Kim Bissell (Ph.D., Syracuse University) is the Southern Progress Endowed Professor in Magazine Journalism and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama. She is also the Director of the college's research institute, the Institute for Communication and Information Research. She has done research in health and sports communication for more than 20 years and has received external funding for her work in health disparities and children.   Much of her research examines the social effects of media specific to health outcomes in children.   Jiyoung Lee (Ph.D., Syracuse University) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama, Department of Journalism and Creative Media. Her research is at the heart of emerging media effects including artificial intelligence and augmented reality on persuasion communication. Specifically, she studies human-computer interaction in the context of medical/risk misinformation, how new media affect polarization, and how media literacy interventions should be designed to engage the public in accurate information about health risks. Her work has appeared in several top communication journals, including Media Psychology, Health Communication, Behaviour & Information Technology, and Journal of Applied Communication Research. 

Laura Sawyer, ICA's Executive Director, describes her path to leading the organization (she used to be an actor!!), offers some useful tips for students and junior scholars interested in ICA, provides behind-the-scenes insights into the multifaceted foundations of a successful Conference, explains how the organization is structured and run under the guidance of the executive committee (from president elect select to president eject!), compares ICA to NCA (reluctantly but diplomatically), discusses ICA's approach to promoting inclusion both at the local and international levels, and hints at the location (continent) for the ICA 2026. If you're interested in the organization—whether a longtime member or ICA n00b—this episode is a great listen!About the SPARTIE Lab:The Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab performs research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how the use of media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influences meaningful outcomes (e.g., education, health/safety, persuasion).The SPARTIE Lab is part of the greater academic community at the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. More information on the lab's research projects, staff, and work can be found on the SPARTIE Lab website.About the host:Dr. Rabindra (Robby) Ratan, Ph. D., is an associate professor and AT&T Scholar at Michigan State University's Department of Media and Information and is the director of the SPARTIE Lab.He is also an affiliated faculty member of the MSU Department of Psychology, the MSU College of Education's program in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology, and the MSU Center for Gender in a Global Context. Ratan received his Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, his M.A. in Communication from Stanford University, and his B.A. in Science, Technology and Society, also from Stanford University.Dr. Ratan conducts research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influence meaningful outcomes (e.g., persuasion, education, health/safety).  He is particularly interested in the Proteus effect, media-rich transportation contexts, perceptions of media as self-representations and/or social others, avatarification for health and education, and gender stereotypes in gaming contexts.Dr. Ratan lives near Lansing with his family. More information on his work can be found on his website.

Dr. Vasileios Stavropoulos describes his fascinating research about using cyber-phenotypes (e.g., uses of and attitudes about games, avatars, etc.) to predict health markers of depression (e.g., reduce sleep, appetite, interest in other activities). He eloquently explains how the effects of gaming are not uniform, but depend on individual differences (e.g., age, psychological profiles). We discuss the potential for regulations to promote healthy uses of games (spoiler alert: he thinks time-based restrictions are less effective than regulation of mechanisms, like loot boxes and algorithms). We also explore a few virtual worlds together in ENGAGE, a virtual reality meeting platform, while the live studio audience spawned farm animals in the background. https://www.vu.edu.au/research/vasileios-stavropouloshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGAkGgq626uJIeN5Y84O3oA https://www.linkedin.com/in/vasileios-stavropoulos-14234641/?originalSubdomain=au https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/16408/user-avatar-bond-risk-and-opportunities-in-gaming-and-beyond @group_vuAbout the SPARTIE Lab:The Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab performs research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how the use of media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influences meaningful outcomes (e.g., education, health/safety, persuasion).The SPARTIE Lab is part of the greater academic community at the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. More information on the lab's research projects, staff, and work can be found on the SPARTIE Lab website.About the host:Dr. Rabindra (Robby) Ratan, Ph. D., is an associate professor and AT&T Scholar at Michigan State University's Department of Media and Information and is the director of the SPARTIE Lab.He is also an affiliated faculty member of the MSU Department of Psychology, the MSU College of Education's program in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology, and the MSU Center for Gender in a Global Context. Ratan received his Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, his M.A. in Communication from Stanford University, and his B.A. in Science, Technology and Society, also from Stanford University.Dr. Ratan conducts research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influence meaningful outcomes (e.g., persuasion, education, health/safety).  He is particularly interested in the Proteus effect, media-rich transportation contexts, perceptions of media as self-representations and/or social others, avatarification for health and education, and gender stereotypes in gaming contexts.Dr. Ratan lives near Lansing with his family. More information on his work can be found on his website.

For over 30 years, Dr. Carrie Heeter has been studying virtual reality and waiting for it to be the next big thing. And now it actually seems to be! However, these days she focuses more on internal than external simulations — meditation. During this episode, she talks about her research on meditation with virtual reality, such as a scenario she built for meditating on a virtual beach. She also talks about her own meditation experiences, such as floating through space as a polymorph. Join us for this edifying episode, or even better, join Carrie in her meditation community here: yogamindtools.comTake the SPARTIE-Cast survey and let us know what you think of the podcast!Want to live stream or video chat with your own avatar? Try Animaze for free! And if you want to subscribe, use code “spartielab” at checkout for 50% off all subscriptions. The free-to-use software is available on Steam and the Apple App Store. Code expires January 1, 2022. Thank you Animaze for sponsoring this episode!About the SPARTIE Lab:The Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab performs research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how the use of media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influences meaningful outcomes (e.g., education, health/safety, persuasion).The SPARTIE Lab is part of the greater academic community at the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. More information on the lab's research projects, staff, and work can be found on the SPARTIE Lab website.About the host:Dr. Rabindra (Robby) Ratan, Ph. D., is an associate professor and AT&T Scholar at Michigan State University's Department of Media and Information and is the director of the SPARTIE Lab.He is also an affiliated faculty member of the MSU Department of Psychology, the MSU College of Education's program in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology, and the MSU Center for Gender in a Global Context. Ratan received his Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, his M.A. in Communication from Stanford University, and his B.A. in Science, Technology and Society, also from Stanford University.Dr. Ratan conducts research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influence meaningful outcomes (e.g., persuasion, education, health/safety).  He is particularly interested in the Proteus effect, media-rich transportation contexts, perceptions of media as self-representations and/or social others, avatarification for health and education, and gender stereotypes in gaming contexts.Dr. Ratan lives near Lansing with his family. More information on his work can be found on his website.

Our guest this episode is Dr. Steve Yelon, who has been teaching people how to teach since the 1960s. He speaks about the history of distance learning (all the way back to the 1920s!), his work with Sesame Street and the Secret Service, some early distance learning technologies that he utilized (overheads, audio tapes!), the importance of pedagogy regardless of the medium (“Lousy instruction in a new medium is still lousy instruction”), and 10 principles of teaching that every current instructor should know. Take the SPARTIE-Cast survey and let us know what you think of the podcast!Want to live stream or video chat with your own avatar? Try Animaze for free! And if you want to subscribe, use code “spartielab” at checkout for 50% off all subscriptions. The free-to-use software is available on Steam and the Apple App Store. Code expires January 1, 2022. Thank you Animaze for sponsoring this episode!About the SPARTIE Lab:The Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab performs research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how the use of media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influences meaningful outcomes (e.g., education, health/safety, persuasion).The SPARTIE Lab is part of the greater academic community at the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. More information on the lab's research projects, staff, and work can be found on the SPARTIE Lab website.About the host:Dr. Rabindra (Robby) Ratan, Ph. D., is an associate professor and AT&T Scholar at Michigan State University's Department of Media and Information and is the director of the SPARTIE Lab.He is also an affiliated faculty member of the MSU Department of Psychology, the MSU College of Education's program in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology, and the MSU Center for Gender in a Global Context. Ratan received his Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, his M.A. in Communication from Stanford University, and his B.A. in Science, Technology and Society, also from Stanford University.Dr. Ratan conducts research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influence meaningful outcomes (e.g., persuasion, education, health/safety).  He is particularly interested in the Proteus effect, media-rich transportation contexts, perceptions of media as self-representations and/or social others, avatarification for health and education, and gender stereotypes in gaming contexts.Dr. Ratan lives near Lansing with his family. More information on his work can be found on his website.

Dr. Jakki Bailey, assistant professor and director of the Immersive Human Development Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, shares her expertise on childrens' uses of virtual reality technology. She shares some humorous moments from her research (e.g., “I wish I could do this [in VR] for forever”), describes some potential concerns about safety for kids in VR and succinctly explains the fundamental psychology behind why kids use and respond to VR differently than adults (e.g., executive function and impulse control). She also describes how kids perceive characters and avatars in VR, how her “Designing User Interfaces for Children” class prepares students to build the metaverse for children and the ways in which education in VR might be able to exceed the quality of current educational experiences. Her expertise on this important but all-too-often underappreciated topic is rare and valuable. Enjoy the episode!Take the SPARTIE-Cast survey and let us know what you think of the podcast!Want to live stream or video chat with your own avatar? Try Animaze for free! And if you want to subscribe, use code “spartielab” at checkout for 50% off all subscriptions. The free-to-use software is available on Steam and the Apple App Store. Code expires January 1, 2022. Thank you Animaze for sponsoring this episode!About the SPARTIE Lab:The Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab performs research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how the use of media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influences meaningful outcomes (e.g., education, health/safety, persuasion).The SPARTIE Lab is part of the greater academic community at the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. More information on the lab's research projects, staff, and work can be found on the SPARTIE Lab website.About the host:Dr. Rabindra (Robby) Ratan, Ph. D., is an associate professor and AT&T Scholar at Michigan State University's Department of Media and Information and is the director of the SPARTIE Lab.He is also an affiliated faculty member of the MSU Department of Psychology, the MSU College of Education's program in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology, and the MSU Center for Gender in a Global Context. Ratan received his Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, his M.A. in Communication from Stanford University, and his B.A. in Science, Technology and Society, also from Stanford University.Dr. Ratan conducts research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influence meaningful outcomes (e.g., persuasion, education, health/safety).  He is particularly interested in the Proteus effect, media-rich transportation contexts, perceptions of media as self-representations and/or social others, avatarification for health and education, and gender stereotypes in gaming contexts.Dr. Ratan lives near Lansing with his family. More information on his work can be found on his website.

Dr. Allison Eden, associate professor at Michigan State University, and Robby delve into her recently published research on media habits and well-being during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss how media use changed between the Spring and Fall of 2020, why some social media platforms were better suited as a hedonic distraction to help people cope with stress and anxiety and how people selected content to regulate their moods and reframe the pandemic. They also talk about gaming and virtual reality and speculate about how people might select media to optimize well-being in a 5-year-future pandemic.Take the SPARTIE-Cast survey and let us know what you think of the podcast!Want to live stream or video chat with your own avatar? Try Animaze for free! And if you want to subscribe, use code “spartielab” at checkout for 50% off all subscriptions. The free-to-use software is available on Steam and the Apple App Store. Code expires January 1, 2022. Thank you Animaze for sponsoring this episode!About the SPARTIE Lab:The Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab performs research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how the use of media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influences meaningful outcomes (e.g., education, health/safety, persuasion).The SPARTIE Lab is part of the greater academic community at the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. More information on the lab's research projects, staff, and work can be found on the SPARTIE Lab website.About the host:Dr. Rabindra (Robby) Ratan, Ph. D., is an associate professor and AT&T Scholar at Michigan State University's Department of Media and Information and is the director of the SPARTIE Lab.He is also an affiliated faculty member of the MSU Department of Psychology, the MSU College of Education's program in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology, and the MSU Center for Gender in a Global Context. Ratan received his Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, his M.A. in Communication from Stanford University, and his B.A. in Science, Technology and Society, also from Stanford University.Dr. Ratan conducts research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influence meaningful outcomes (e.g., persuasion, education, health/safety).  He is particularly interested in the Proteus effect, media-rich transportation contexts, perceptions of media as self-representations and/or social others, avatarification for health and education, and gender stereotypes in gaming contexts.Dr. Ratan lives near Lansing with his family. More information on his work can be found on his website.

This episode, Robby speaks with Professor Brian Winn, his colleague in the Department of Media and Information here at Michigan State University, about his unique path into academia and directing the Games for Entertainment and Learning (GEL) Lab. They discuss how the Meaningful Play conference came to be as a marriage of academic games research and industry/creative game design and what to expect for the Meaningful Play 2022 conference (Oct 13-15) — which is totally awesome, you should submit/attend. And Brian talks about his new game studio, Will Winn Games, producer of Plunder Panic, a game of up to 12 players which supports mixed local/online and human/AI teams!Take the SPARTIE-Cast survey and let us know what you think of the podcast!Want to live stream or video chat with your own avatar? Try Animaze for free! And if you want to subscribe, use code “spartielab” at checkout for 50% off all subscriptions. The free-to-use software is available on Steam and the Apple App Store. Code expires January 1, 2022. Thank you Animaze for sponsoring this episode!About the SPARTIE Lab:The Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab performs research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how the use of media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influences meaningful outcomes (e.g., education, health/safety, persuasion).The SPARTIE Lab is part of the greater academic community at the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. More information on the lab's research projects, staff, and work can be found on the SPARTIE Lab website.About the host:Dr. Rabindra (Robby) Ratan, Ph. D., is an associate professor and AT&T Scholar at Michigan State University's Department of Media and Information and is the director of the SPARTIE Lab.He is also an affiliated faculty member of the MSU Department of Psychology, the MSU College of Education's program in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology, and the MSU Center for Gender in a Global Context. Ratan received his Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, his M.A. in Communication from Stanford University, and his B.A. in Science, Technology and Society, also from Stanford University.Dr. Ratan conducts research on the effects of human-technology interaction, examining how media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents, automobiles) influence meaningful outcomes (e.g., persuasion, education, health/safety).  He is particularly interested in the Proteus effect, media-rich transportation contexts, perceptions of media as self-representations and/or social others, avatarification for health and education, and gender stereotypes in gaming contexts.Dr. Ratan lives near Lansing with his family. More information on his work can be found on his website.

  An expert on digital literacy, Graber writes, presents, and is interviewed about  technology's impact upon human behavior. Her no-nonsense approach comes from being an educator, media producer, academic, and most of all, a mom. She is the co-founder of CyberWise, and she developed (and still teaches) Cyber Civics, the popular middle school digital literacy program currently being taught in schools in 47 US states and internationally. She's served as Adjunct Faculty, teaching Media Psychology to graduate students. Her paper, New Media Literacies: A Developmental Approach, was published in the Journal of Media Literacy Education (JMLE). In 2019, she published “Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology” Frank Herbert: “Once, men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.” Links NY Times Headline A/B Testing “Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology”