Jul
22
Lessons from the Virtual Media Psychology Symposium Now that Fielding Graduate University’s first Media Psychology Symposium is over, I have time to reflect on the experience. The symposium was held virtually over two days (July 16 and 17) on Zoom, rather than in Chicago in-person, due to COVID-19. COVID or...
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Jun
20
The voice of reason is entirely missing when stories activate fight or flight. Anything that is perceived as an attack on beliefs, identity or affiliation shuts down cognitive processes and makes collaboration difficult, if not impossible. Narratives reveal core values that have to be addressed for both groups for compromise...
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Jun
17
The pandemic, politics, and social protests make this a particularly volatile time--emotions are on edge and tension is high. This is a time when we are all vulnerable to embracing stories based on our emotions and fears--stories that confirm our beliefs and rationalize our behavior. When it comes to stories,...
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Jun
10
According to Miriam Webster, doomscrolling and doomsurfing are new terms that describe continuous scrolling or surfing through negative news, even when it is depressing, demoralizing, distressing, or painful. Many people have found themselves continuously reading bad news about COVID-19 or the protests and police violence without the ability to stop...
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Mar
25
Last week we were worried about the negative impact of cellphone overuse. Now we’re worried about staying employed, entertained and connected. It’s funny how a little pandemic shifts your opinion. In trying to decide about the impact of media consumption, I pay attention to how people use devices and what...
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Dr. Pamela Rutledge is available to reporters for comments on the psychological and social impact of media and technology on individuals, society, organizations and brands.