Psychology of Media & Technology

If anonymous chat remains a need beyond the nefarious--such as identity exploration--and isn't just a shiny-penny experiment, as it was for many, then a new product will emerge.  But let's be serious.  This was a business decision.  Cryptocurrency triggers a lot less moral outrage as a business model than enabling anonymous chatting.

The real headline: Bianca Devins' murder is 'not an Instagram story,' domestic violence expert says.  It's not very often when you see a news headline about such a tragic story that just BEGS for something to blame to not point the finger at social media.  Well done USA Today.  Flaunting crimes isn't new.  The sharing of the girl’s dead body on social media screams narcissist showing off and an attempt to reclaim power and feel in control.   Male narcissists have been shown to become aggressive when romantically rejected.  It violates their inflated self-image and they feel justified in taking action and showing off to get approval.  #mediapsychology 

The power of entertainment: We find meaning in the stories we watch. Dramas and comedies alike.  Stories expand our 'database' of possibilities and emotions; they allow us to reflect on the past, reframe the future and create affiliations and enhance connections through shared experience.  #mediapsychology #savoring #thepowerofstories

More than anything, the filters seem to be a way to play with our look and experiment with how we present ourselves. This could eventually even change paradigms. One of the ways people learn is by watching others and evaluating the outcome. Another is to experiment. This can be nuanced or more overt expressions, fleeting or more permanent.  At the same time, it's important to be respectful of broader social implications of technology like this. 

Predicting human behavior requires us to make assumptions about cause and effect, which are proxies for the consumers’ priorities, motivations and goals. Narrative analysis--identifying narrative and visual frames and customer stories--enables me to understand the “why” along with the “what” of measured behavior.  The "what: tells the past.  The "why" is the key to the future.  #mediapsych #datastrategy

I understand why some people like horror films and why certain motifs are particularly scary and uncomfortable.  (That doesn't mean I go see them.) The #USmovie is a great example of all the instinctive and psychological triggers that elicit fear coupled with the great acting to pull it off.

A good rule of thumb is that images for things you can change — teeth straightening, hairstyle, painting a room — can be inspirational. Looking at things you can’t change — body build, height, the fact that you’ll never own a divine midcentury LA home like Mandy Moore — might be counterproductive.  Best advice from Parks: Don't look at things that make you feel crappy."

Here's an article that WON'T make headlines because so many people are convinced that social media is bad. Hard to combat beliefs with science.  Bravo to @HealthDayNews for paying attention! Social media behaviors are complex, not one size fits all.   Not to mention that mental distress and disorders are complex with multiple factors and causes.  I was encouraged, too, by the responsible analysis the researchers made.  

Banal or profound? Unboxing videos as a movie premise - Pandora's box gets a facelift

Should YouTrack?  Is it useful sometimes?  Sure!  Could it damage your relationship?  Absolutely.  From a psychological perspective, these apps force us to address our beliefs about privacy, ‘feeling watched’ and the relational costs versus benefits of tracking. It all boils down to trust and establishing an honest set of ground rules. #mediapsychology

Technology can trigger our cognitive biases--assumptions and attributions we make, often without thinking, applying social behaviors and rules to technology-mediated behaviors.  A read receipt is like saying "did you hear me?"  and our inclination is to assume that the stony silence of no response means we don't matter.   #mediapsychology 

Well done Will Smith! Teaching financial literacy is so necessary.  Technology impacts all kinds of behaviors and as money becomes less tangible and more digital (auto-pay, click to purchase, credit), it's harder to understand how to manage it (and easier to dig really big holes!) #medialiteracy #financialliteracy #mediapsychology

The rise of Influencer marketing as created a new dimension in storytelling, somewhere between Reality TV and true confessions. It is ripe with archetypes and emotions.  While it has disrupted multiple business models, it also raises the ante on the increasing monetization of personal lives and can put them in direct conflict with values, ethics and well being, especially when it comes to young children. More to come.  #mediapsychology #influencerpsychology #influencerparenting

We can set boundaries and rules in new ways. Some will argue that there is a sense of propriety and respect that a wedding or other event demands. But these are rules that will change over time with technology and expectations. People need to feel comfortable establishing the rules that work best them in a given situation.  If it's your wedding, you get to make the rules--but recognize that others love you and want to share in your moment.  Providing a "screen-OK zone" can satisfy both.  #mediapsych 

Technological accessibility is an important part of inclusion, whether it's designing for more types of users or using technology to overcome other kinds of access barriers.

TV shows in waiting rooms can set a mood that frames the doctor-patient relationship.  There’s research that shows that it’s in a patient’s best interest to be relaxed, calm and in a positive mood when they visit with the healthcare professionals.  It decreases pain and makes patients more optimistic and resilient. Conversely, if they’re anxious, procedures hurt more.

The best reviews come from skeptics.  See this thoughtful piece on @dianagraber 's new book Raising Humans in a Digital World

The new year is a time for taking stock.  Whether you choose to delete social media apps or manage their use, start with YOUR goals, take back your power.  Deleting an app should follow intention and goals, not be a kneejerk reaction.  Choice and intention develop self-control and increase positive emotions.

It's interesting how quickly the narrative goes from "getting useful information" to presuming total reliance on technology as if there's no positive middle ground.  This 2017 article shows how little progress we've made in our technophobia.  BTW, I agree with Dr. Nadig that conflict, respecting differences and learning to have personal boundaries are critical to healthy relationships. That is a separate issue from whether technology can provide information that helps someone learn more productive behavior habits.  Have more emotional control should actually help people resolve conflict because it diminishes the "fight or flight" response and allows more room for empathy.  #mediapsychology #positivemediapsychology