How Period Dramas Like “Bridgerton” Soothe and Inspire

2021-06-15T23:51:37-07:00

Escapism, a good character, and a happy ending can build optimism and esteem. KEY POINTS Human brains love symmetry and completion, so audiences are soothed by the predictable patterns of period drama stories. Connection to characters in period dramas lets viewers “try on” different identities and explore new ways of being. Period dramas explore archetypal themes which invite the audience consider core ideas, such as the desire to be seen and loved. We learned a lot of things during the stress and uncertainty of 2020, including that media can be a wonderful escape into another time and place. Period dramas [...]

How Period Dramas Like “Bridgerton” Soothe and Inspire2021-06-15T23:51:37-07:00

What is Positive Media Psychology?

2021-08-29T14:00:41-07:00

presenter PAM RUTLEDGE, PHD Doctoral faculty, Media Psychology zoom webinar May 19, 2021 Positive Media Psychology applies the theories and research from positive psychology to media and technology. Whether I’m working with interactive media, entertainment experiences, marketing content, social media, mobile devices or the news, a positive media psychology paradigm shifts the perspective away from looking for what’s wrong toward how mediated experiences can make lives and society better. In this brief presentation, I will discuss how media and technology can contribute to positive emotions, such as happiness and empathy; what technologies are used to support optimal engagement and mindfulness [...]

What is Positive Media Psychology?2021-08-29T14:00:41-07:00

What is Positive Media Psychology?

2021-06-03T22:24:04-07:00

Harness the Power of Media for Good. Positive Media Psychology applies the theories and research from positive psychology to media and technology. Whether I’m working with interactive media, entertainment experiences, marketing content, social media, mobile devices or the news, a positive media psychology paradigm shifts the perspective away from looking for what’s wrong toward how mediated experiences can make lives and society better. In this brief presentation, I will discuss how media and technology can contribute to positive emotions, such as happiness and empathy; what technologies are used to support optimal engagement and mindfulness and how even [...]

What is Positive Media Psychology?2021-06-03T22:24:04-07:00

Clubhouse: What’s the Appeal of Social Audio Apps?

2021-08-27T19:01:43-07:00

BY PAM RUTLEDGE, PHD Doctoral faculty, Media Psychology APRIL 6, 2021 After a year of Zoom, people are flocking to audio-only conversations. SUMMARY Clubhouse is a throwback audio-only app for drop-in discussions, serendipitous meetings, and eavesdropping without shame. Invitation- and IOS-only, exclusivity, celebrity, and FOMO fuel its appeal; voice transmits emotion without the distraction of video, creating a sense of intimacy. Popular with marketers and self-promoters, there is an emphasis on audience building, getting followers, and monetization. Topics range from useful and insightful to inspirational; however, there have been reports of abuse, misogyny, anti-Semitism, and racism, in spite of community [...]

Clubhouse: What’s the Appeal of Social Audio Apps?2021-08-27T19:01:43-07:00

Reality TV and the Dark Triad

2021-04-03T10:01:39-07:00

BY PAM RUTLEDGE, PHD Doctoral faculty, Media Psychology APRIL 3, 2021 Reality shows thrive on drama created by those who manipulate and deceive. SUMMARY Dark Triad personality traits including entitlement, deception, lack of empathy, and manipulation are common among reality TV characters. Dark Triad traits are also associated with con artists. On realiy shows, manipulation and self-interest attract viewers because conflict activates emotion and drama. Brands should be cautious about who they choose to represent them. Dark Triad traits may increase ratings, but they can damage a brand's image. Jen Shah of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, isn’t the [...]

Reality TV and the Dark Triad2021-04-03T10:01:39-07:00

The Fragility of Social Media Fame

2021-03-31T11:21:03-07:00

BY PAM RUTLEDGE, PHD Doctoral faculty, Media Psychology March 30, 2021 What Goes Up, Can Come Crashing Down. Many successful people will tell you that fame is illusory at best.  That doesn’t make wealth, privilege and adoration look less fun from the outside. Social media fame is particularly alluring when we hear stories of ‘overnight’ success and the economics of monetizing millions of followers based on personality, chutzpah, and the ability to attract attention are the critical talents, not years of studying Method Acting or busking on street corners.  Fame can come quickly as memes spread and followers, like moths to a flame, go with what [...]

The Fragility of Social Media Fame2021-03-31T11:21:03-07:00

Why Kids Love TikTok Challenges

2021-09-08T19:18:12-07:00

BY PAM RUTLEDGE, PHD Doctoral faculty, Media Psychology February 17, 2021 Fun, dumb, or dangerous? TikTok challenges offer connection and belonging. TikTok is the current app parents love to hate. A mobile app that allows users to create and share short videos, it was the most downloaded app of 2020. TikTok challenges continue to fill the news alongside reports of the big bucks that young TikTok stars are pulling down from endorsement deals—both of which terrify parents. As the name suggests, a TikTok challenge "challenges" the viewer to take some action and record it for sharing on TikTok. Challenges are found using hashtag searches [...]

Why Kids Love TikTok Challenges2021-09-08T19:18:12-07:00

How Technology Can Help You Conquer COVID Holidays

2020-11-24T11:01:08-08:00

BY PAM RUTLEDGE, PHD Doctoral faculty, Media Psychology November 24, 2020 8 steps to emotional connection online and offline. Every year about this time, there is a wealth of “how to survive the holidays” articles and advice.  It’s no secret that holidays can be stressful, even under the best of non-pandemic circumstances.  The holiday season is full of demands and it’s hard to ignore images of Insta-perfect holiday décor, artistically decorated cookies, and idyllic children wearing clean clothes.  The clean clothes alone should tell you it’s not for real but still, we torment ourselves. But this year, we’re faced with a whole new [...]

How Technology Can Help You Conquer COVID Holidays2020-11-24T11:01:08-08:00

What Is Happiness? Dr. Pamela Rutledge Defines It

2016-09-12T14:08:12-07:00

For its 2016 Happiest States in America feature, WalletHub invited 10 professors to help define the concept of happiness. Among them was Pamela Rutledge, doctoral faculty in our Media Psychology program. Here's what she said: What are the key ingredients to a happy life? They key ingredient to a happy life is the ability to make meaning out of one's circumstances. The foundation to this ability comes from satisfying core human motivations: social connection, feeling that you have some control over your life and the sense of your own competence or ability to take action. Satisfying these motivations results in the sense of [...]

What Is Happiness? Dr. Pamela Rutledge Defines It2016-09-12T14:08:12-07:00

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