Book Link 10 Intro to Psychological Research
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At this end of this topic you should be able to:
- Give your opinion about the influence of violent media on behavior.
- Discuss historical concerns about new technologies.
- Recognize the importance of psychological research on media effects.
Gaming, Videos and Violence
Have you ever thought about how the violence you see on TV might affect your behavior? Or, YouTube? Or, gaminng?
Does watching violent scenes make you more likely to act aggressively in real life? Or could it help you release your own aggression, leading to a more peaceful attitude?
How do children interpret and respond to the media they consume? These are the questions a psychologist studying the relationship between behavior and exposure to violent images might ask.
The topic of violence in the media is controversial today. Throughout history, humans have been worried about the impact of new technologies on our behaviors and thoughts.
For example, the Greek philosopher Socrates was concerned that writing, a new technology at the time, would weaken people’s memory because they could rely on written records instead of memorizing information.
In our fast-paced world of ever-changing technologies, questions about the effects of media continue to arise. Many of us have strong opinions on these issues, only to find someone next to us holding the opposite view.
How can we find answers based on evidence rather than mere opinion? Psychological research findings can help us address issues like this.
What do you think?
The topic of violence in the media is controversial today. Throughout history, humans have been worried about the impact of new technologies on our behaviors and thoughts.
For example, the Greek philosopher Socrates was concerned that writing, a new technology at the time, would weaken people’s memory because they could rely on written records instead of memorizing information.
In our fast-paced world of ever-changing technologies, questions about the effects of media continue to arise. Many of us have strong opinions on these issues, only to find someone next to us holding the opposite view.
How can we find answers based on evidence rather than mere opinion? Psychological research findings can help us address issues like this.
Launch Video
For discussion (the printing press)
Historical concerns about new technologies can be seen in the widespread anxiety surrounding the introduction of the printing press in the 15th century.
Many people at the time feared that the printing press would lead to the dissemination of dangerous ideas and threaten the existing power structures.
Debate this topic using the following affirmamtive and negative premises:
Affirmative premise: The printing press revolutionized the spread of knowledge and information, leading to the flourishing of education, science, and literature during the Renaissance.
Negative premise: The printing press contributed to the rapid dissemination of misinformation and propaganda, leading to social and political unrest as people were exposed to unverified and divisive ideas.
For discussion (social media)
Recognizing the importance of psychological research on media effects, we can consider the impact of social media on mental health.
Studies have shown a correlation between heavy social media use and increased feelings of loneliness and depression, prompting further research into understanding the psychological effects of social media consumption.
Debate this topic using the following affirmamtive and negative premises:
Affirmative premise: Social media has facilitated global connectivity, allowing people to stay in touch with loved ones across the world and enabling the rapid spread of important information during times of crisis.
Negative premise: Social media has contributed to a rise in cyberbullying, online harassment, and the spread of misinformation, leading to negative psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem among users.
Honeycutt Science by John Honeycutt is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
