Media Psychology and its Impact
Media Psychology constitutes both science and art. It examines ways in which media impacts the cognitive and sensory processes. It involves the way press evokes specific behaviors in people, more prominent groups or even world societies. The broad and exciting realm of impact studies is key to media psychology. Such influences are seen through information presented through television news stories, radio broadcasts, commercials, advertisements newspapers articles, and magazines articles. The uniqueness of media psychology has witnessed the application of known theories in psychology through the use of sound, graphics, pictures and other techniques of technology in communication. Media psychology constitutes the interface between all forms of media and the human experience. This paper aims explore media psychology in newspaper and magazine articles and demonstrate the connection between the content material and using research evidence or theories.
Article 1: ‘The Hair Trends That Will Be Huge in 2018’
This article by published in the Fashion Magazine, describes how women worldwide wonder which hairstyle to adorn especially at the start of the new when they probably make New Year resolutions. The author goes to predict some the hairstyle that may become common in 2018.According to the author, extended hairstyles will include fringes that have a rough and girlish look and brushed black hair among others. For short hair, styles such as blow out and bangs are preferred. The writer notes that the shaggy naive fringe style can be done in so many ways and that because it has been in existence for long, a change would be very welcome. The technique also lasts as long as three weeks. The article also emphasizes on shifting away from bold placements and high contrast adopting a style that lightly frames one’s face and adds a natural look. Even methods with an influence from the 70s and 90s are suggested. Such methods are said to be done in a more subtle ways than before hence very interesting. The author provides several examples for both long hairstyle and short hairstyles for people to choose according to their taste. She, however, makes all styles to sound very interesting so that people are left spoilt for choice.
Connection of Article 1 content to Research Evidence
Numerous fitness theories assert that attractiveness cuts across many aspects with every feature portraying a distinct dimension of men value. In one study the attractiveness of male raters was judged by mature and neotenous facial features, with particular lengths of hair (Tamas "Norbert, 2006). Outcomes indicated that physically, women with long hair were considered highly regardless of the rating of their facial attractions. Women regarded as the most appealing were those with a face that have neotenous features centrally placed in the front like small nose and large eyes. Women with long hair near the periphery were also regarded as being attractive. Also, positive social and psychological characteristics were associated with people with different styles of hair. For instance, male raters related long hair with the character of healthy, independent, intelligent and determined people. Short hair was frequently attributed to people who are feminine, emotional, caring and honest The possible association between ratings of hair design or length and perceived psychological characteristics is the motive of the message in article one. In this article, women who understand the ratings for a specific hairstyle would go for a style that they think suits them. Luckily, the author has a variety for them to choose.
Article 2: How low can you go? Our pick of the best low-alcohol wines
This article was published by on January 2018 and appeared in The Guardian newspaper starts with the writer explaining that there are various alternative wines that are less boozy for people who have opted to cut down or to do it dry during January. The author asserts that all varieties, however, should have a minimum of 0.5% alcohol to qualify as a decent drink suitable for even pregnant mothers or drivers (Bekkett, 2018). These wines are said to be ideal for anyone who does not avoid alcohol altogether. The article describes some of the best-suggested makers of wine including Nature and Torres, which are reported to produce low-alcohol wines from 2008.The author indicates that at first Torres’s wine was not the best but that it has improved. Red wine is mentioned as having tasted good. Penfolds is also reported to make great wine and that they have produced the wine that has the original taste of fruit even though with the inevitable shortcomings of low-alcohol wine. Bekkett (2018) reports in the article that Tesco has various great value wines that is low in alcohol including creditable rose. The author also mentions other low-alcohol wines that failed to impress him such as the Featherweight range which was particularly unpleasant. It is noted that technology for manufacturing wines with low alcohol is improving because today there is an actual incentive and market for it. The author confirms that hops are better in adding flavor and character than sugars.
Connection of Article 2 content to Research Evidence
Communication in business is a fundamental feature in the process of building trust among the clients. Advertisement plays a crucial role in organizations to customer marketing and assists businesses to attain their goals of marketing. The main aim of marketing is to create awareness of its products and services and maintain the client’s consciousness of the business and, what it has to offer (Payne " Sonya, 2015). On today’s market, external communication is vital, and it may be challenging to find innovative ways to compete. Therefore, it is essential for businesses to regularly operate with external marketing communications and depend on the notion that a single campaign will be enough. Payne and Sonya (2015) assert that successful advertisement; organizations require the basis of a clear strategy upon which to act. Various theories and models explain how businesses can design better advertising initiatives today. Previous literature on advertising comprises of multiple models and methods which describe the advertising practice and how it is practiced in reality. Some theories also have to do with food language. Previous studies on the impact of a name on wine indicated that some labels influence people to believe the kind of rating given to the wines by experts (Payne " Sonya, 2015). For instance, the official names of wines given to wines mentioned by the article’s author may be authentic hence readers rate the wines as authentic. The addition of evocative explanation makes the reader develop more positive perception towards the wine’s appeal. A label directs an individual’s attention to a feature in wine and therefore aids to reveal some flavors. It is against this background of understanding that the article persuades the reader to believe the assertions of the author.
Article 3: How a challenging business conversation inspired Trinny Woodall to take the social media world by storm
This article by Tania Bryer published on November 27, 2017, on the CNBC online magazine portrays the power of social media. According to the author adequate knowledge regarding social media is the most significant ingredient for the success of any business confirms. The British beauty giant Trinny Woodall is issued to illustrate this point. It is reported that social media has significantly promoted her company’s portfolio and her profile. The celebrity used the profile “Trinny London,” an enterprise that she established in October and gives its clients a versatile and stackable makeup range (Bryer, 2018). The business already boasts of thousands of followers across many platforms of social media. The author notes that Woodfall boasts of over 320,000 followers both on Facebook and Instagram, boosting her brand worldwide. Nonetheless, were it not for an exchange Trinny had with a venture capitalist in the recent past, the celebrity may not have paid more attention to her presence on social media. The article explains how two years earlier, Trinny had indicated on skype call how she wished to raise money when she was requested to name her obstacle in business. The author notes that Tinny wanted to design the best image for her brand and herself to emphasize what her company could offer. By 2017, Woodall hit the social media with her YouTube channel having more than 44,500 subscribers, 333,000 on Facebook and 324,000 on Instagram (Bryer, 2018). Woodall’s moved from being a star on television to a media star.
Connection of article 3 contents to research evidence
The pull of the addiction of social media does not merely exist in the head. It is actually as a result of two chemical produced in the human brain namely oxytocin and dopamine. Scientists once regarded dopamine as a pleasure chemical within the mind. However, it was discovered that it is responsible for seeking, desiring and searching. Dopamine is generated by uncertainty, small bits of detail, and by cues of reward which are pretty much similar to social media conditions. The appeal of dopamine is said to be so powerful that the urge to interact on social media is higher than that of alcohol or cigarette (Payne " Sonya, 2015). The oxytocin chemical is also known as the cuddle chemical since its released during hugging and kissing. It is reported that only 10 minutes spent on social media causes levels of oxytocin to rise to a hormonal spike similar to some people during their wedding day. Production of oxytocin is accompanied by lower levels of stress, and feelings of generosity, empathy, trust, and love that come with social media. For instance, the typical Facebook user is more likely to trust other people than general internet users. Therefore between oxytocin and dopamine, social networking comes with great feeling as well as the urge for more of it. It is this urge that was the motive for this article. The article wants to prove that Woodall was aware of all this explanations, and that is how she turned to social media to propel her business to success. Social networks such as Twitter and Facebook may not be essential agents of transformation in the world of business like the Internet. However, they have shown to be much more significant than small openings for social interaction and images of animals. Social networks allow organizations to advertise their products and services as they facilitate improved communication with prospective customers (Payne " Sonya, 2015). Social media enables organizations to communicate directly with their clients and user base through means that did not exist before. It is against this background that the Trinny Woodall from the article propelled her business to success through social media. The author of this article uses the success story of Trinny Woodall show how powerful the social media regarding elevating a person’s business or status.
Article 4 Ashley Graham just landed a Revlon contract and called out beauty industry's lack of plus-size models
The report by published in October, 2017 in the BAZZAR magazine indicates that Ashley Graham has become dominant in the world of fashion with many runway shows, campaigns and even her line of swimwear (Murray, 2018). It is reported that today, the model is seizing the critical selling powers as well as her activism in body positivity to the fashion business where models who lack the straight size have failed to succeed in the past. The author quotes Graham as saying that in the past, curvy girls had no access to beauty contacts. He also says that that this was a form of the groundbreaking for Graham as during his generation of models nothing of the sort had happened. In the article, Graham who was interviewed by the author tells the average size for American women is 14 and the makeup has no capacity. He added that it was encouraging to observe a significant make-up brand such as Revlon stepping up. He wished other companies would follow suit.
Connection of article 4 content to research evidence
Frequently, a commodity is recognized as something which is desired, mass-produced product, in demand and is often purchased. During advertisement of the commodities, the size magnifies the creation of the excessively sexual function within society. At the initial glance, the advertisement appears flashy and stunning. It is also quickly evident when flipping through magazine pages. The ad is often done in bright shades which are best in captivating the reader’s attention and often pull the focus towards the dressing. For most plus size women, their self-image intensively is usually destroyed whenever advertisements only depict thinner models (Rocamora, 2016). Self-image among young girls drops as they approach the adolescent stage because they have been made to believe that their bodies which are imperfect are indeed objects. It is stated that the official picture of the painfully flawless and thin pretty woman seen in advertisements is still the American woman. Ultimately, to a high degree, the media informs people of both genders of their current status and their expected state. However, this particular article has dispelled all this kind of reasoning and assured plus size women that they are also beautiful hence enhancing their self-images and esteem.
Article 5: See American Airlines’ amazing explanation for its rainbow pride logo
American Airlines
The article published in The New York Times on January 26, 2018, reports that for a long time, in spite of its popularly known existence in the GLBT market, American Airlines had not actively placed an advertisement in the LGBT media because of focus on sponsorship. However, the author notes that recently the company dedicated to its first main campaign in media. Recollecting when traveling was regarded attractive, new print advertisements found online appear like high quality, 50s-era decorated posters, however with the adjustment of a couple of carefree men alighting from the plane in hand with each other (The New York Times, 2018) The catchphrase is “Fly forward” which was designed by American’s advertising company, TM Advertising, from Dallas and gay marketing agency from Washington D.C., Witeck Combs Communications.
Connection of article 5 content to research evidence
Lesbian and gay communities are popularly misinterpreted in the media due to the society’s recurrent equation of sexual inclination with the capacity to procreate. To offer an example, lesbian and gay people are hardly the leading stars in films; they often act as the stereotyped representation or as a villain. Today, there are different perceptions that gay people should not be included in children entertainment. In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres’s advertisement was demolished by Wendy’s food joint who was the sponsors. Media representations have benefited and at the same time disadvantaged the LGBTQ community. Landmark achievements to the gay family like the manuscript “Ellen DeGeneres coming out” and “Vice Versa” enabled the LGBTQ to emerge and accept them (Payne " Sonya, 2015).Misrepresentations by the media have benefited and also negatively impacted the LGBTQ people Landmark achievement likes the manuscripts of Ellen DeGeneres coming out” and, “Vice Versa “In spite of the negative portrayal of gay individuals, the media sometimes enhances acceptance of the community on the media platform. The rise in publicity created by the media leads to the LGBTQ groups exposing themselves. The more the celebrities get exposed, the more the news and information on LGBTQ get revealed in the media. The increase in popularity of gay fashion, art and, music has compelled the Western culture to embrace the gay community. The contact theory can to some extent interpret this new acceptance by the media. The rise in shows supporting the acceptance of gay people, individuals learn about the true representation of the LGBTQ group. Gay individuals in us are often used to symbolize social degeneracy by leading organizations and evangelists such as “Focus on the Family” For about 30 years; the RG Magazine was a key supporter of LGBTQ in Quebec. LGBTQ are overly stereotyped in the media (Payne " Sonya, 2015).The group is frequently categorized into only two categories namely gay and lesbian. Consequently, individuals have designed portrayals for gay and lesbian personalities. This undertaking counters the entire aim of the fictional characters of LGBTQ individuals. It may enable some individuals to learn that LGBTQ individuals exist in more significant numbers than perceived. Nonetheless is still supports negative representations and stigma (Payne " Sonya, 2015). The use of LGBT logo by American Airlines is aimed at erasing the negative stereotype of this group.
Conclusion
In this day and age, media psychology is an expanding power in web-based social networking, telehealth, and tele therapy, and online instruction, including courses which are both all through the classroom and virtual classrooms. Media psychology is developing authority in amusement counseling, directing media interviews, in virtual and enlarged reality applications and treatments, and in buyer items. Additionally, Media psychology is a developing element in market advancement, promoting, publicizing, item arrangement and diversion hypothesis. Furthermore, it is also is focal in Cinema, including film investigation, working from home correspondences, viable general wellbeing, open administration, and public strategy including political battles. It is also connected in curative instruction and rehearse and in all types of media distributing. The uniqueness of media psychology is seen the application of known theories in psychology through the use of sound, graphics, pictures and other techniques of technology in communication as illustrated in the articles discussed.
References
Bekkett, Fiona. "How Low Can You Go? Our Pick Of The Best Low-Alcohol Wines." The Guardian, 2018, p. 1. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jan/26/fiona-beckett-low-alcohol-wines.
BERECZKEI, TAMAS, and NORBERT MESKO. Hair Length, Facial Attractiveness, Personality Attribution:A Multiple Fitness Model Of Hairdressing, vol 3, no. 1, 2006, pp. 35-42. http://mjesec.ffzg.hr/revija.psi/vol%2013%201%202006/Bereczkei_2006_13-1.pdf.
BRYER, TANIA. "How A Challenging Business Conversation Inspired Trinny Woodall To Take The Social Media World By Storm." CNBC, 2018, p. 1. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/27/how-makeover-advisor-trinny-woodall-embraced-the-social-media-world.html.
MURRAY, BECKI. "Ashley Graham Just Landed A Revlon Contract And Calls Out Beauty Industry's Lack Of Plus-Size Models." Bazzar, 2018, p. 1. http://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/make-up-nails/a15879390/ashley-graham-revlon/.
Payne, B. Keith, and Sonya Dal Cin. "Implicit Attitudes In Media Psychology." Media Psychology, vol 18, no. 3, 2015, pp. 292-311. Informa UK Limited, doi:10.1080/15213269.2015.1011341.
Rocamora, Agnès. "Mediatization And Digital Media In The Field Of Fashion." Fashion Theory, vol 21, no. 5, 2016, pp. 505-522. Informa UK Limited, doi:10.1080/1362704x.2016.1173349.
The Hair Trends That Will Be Huge in 2018. (2018). Fashion, [online] (1), p.1. Available at: https://fashionmagazine.com/beauty/hair-trends-in-2018/ [Accessed 26 Jan. 2018].
The New York Times. "See American Airlines’ Amazing Explanation For Its Rainbow Pride Logo American Airlines." 2018, p. 1. https://www.google.com/search?q=See+American+Airlines’+amazing+explanation+for+its+rainbow+pride+logo+American+Airlines"oq=See+American+Airlines’+amazing+explanation+for+its+rainbow+pride+logo+American+Airlines.
