Dr. Bernard Luskin: Join the Society for Media Psychology & Technology

Posted by Hilary Edwards on Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Dr. Luskin has an exceptional history as an administrator, educator and leader in media psychology. Bernie Luskin has made many contributions and pioneered new programs," said Dr. Judith Kuipers, President Emeritus of Fielding Graduate University. "While at Fielding, Bernie developed and launched the first MA Ph.D. program in Media Psychology and EdD program in Media Studies in any university. Partnering with UCLA Extension, he launched a successful master's degree program in Media Psychology and Social Change, and at Touro University Worldwide he launched an MA degree program in Media and Communications Psychology," said Kuipers. From PR Newswire 

Published on Psychology Today (http://www.psychologytoday.com)

Following are ten important objectives that support the committment of the society to:

1.  Improve communication for a wider audience about the increasing importance of media psychology,

2.  Assure that everyone understands that media psychology includes technology within its scope and mission,

3.  Attract and encourage new membership based on increasing professional and public understanding of the society’s mission,

4.  Work together with the membership to enhance, brand and position the field of media psychology,

5.  Acknowledge that media psychology and technology cut across APA divisions, recognizing that the work of the Society for Media Psychology and Technology is central to the fields of education, entertainment, telehealth, telecommunications and commerce, including marketing, advertising, the military, public policy and government,

6.  Analyze and share findings, conclusions and possibilities in the study of media effects,

7.  Apply new knowledge in practice, teaching and research,

8.  Encourage worldwide growth in media psychology courses, degrees and certificate programs,

9.  Represent the specialty of media psychology in cooperating with other associations and fields, and

10.  Provide a worldwide forum for media psychology serving a professional community of interest and practice.Society members include researchers, practitioners, mental health providers, consultants, educators, military personnel and communications professionals providing services to all forms of TV, print, cinema, mobile and micro media, social media, telecommunications, telehealth, and teletherapy. The Society advocates the study of theories in psychology applied to media and the wide dissemination of media psychology effects on human behavior.

Education is a priority.

Creative media applications in learning are rapidly expanding. Focus on MOOCS, online and blended learning, augmented reality, artificial intelligence; robotics in commerce, education, public policy, telehealth, and military applications from inner to outer space are increasing. Twenty-first century educational institutions need more sophisticated faculty and staff who understand higher concepts in media arts and sciences. Individuals must now grasp the implications of media to perform competitively in the majority of new and emerging occupational specialties.

Media psychology includes the understanding of the physical and emotional aspects of the brain. Range of emotion, expression, persuasion, sexuality and gender are among the areas of continuing study within media psychology. Also included are theories of attention, persuasion, emotional control, believability, situational cognition, assessment, learning, mind mapping, persistence, reinforcement, mastery, success and failure. “Pscybermedia,” is a neologism combining psychology (human behavior), artificial intelligence (cybernetics) and media (pictures, graphics and sound).

Applying the art and science of media psychology has become essential to effective teaching. Media psychologists study and report the effects of research on sensory and cognitive processes that impact cultural attitudes and values.

Effects research examines how the various news and entertainment media affect, and are affected by, audiences, their demographics and numbers. Examples of media influences include the formation, maintenance and/or change of individual and group stereotypes. On-camera and off-camera diversity representation, the framing of media stories and news, advertising, public service messages, political messages and more, directly influence overt and nuanced human behavior.

Understanding applied media psychology is important for those who work with and within the public and private sectors. Specifically included are government, military, public and private health services and all areas of telecommunications, teletherapy and commerce. The pursuit of commercial opportunities and innovations in the delivery of online learning for traditional education institutions and corporate university populations are equally important areas.  Media psychologists are among the professionals who consult with producers of printed and electronic books, films, those who appear as guests or hosts on radio or television, and all who offer on-line services involving advice, counseling information, expert testimony in litigation and dispute resolution.

Scholar practitioners’ are us.

A scholar/practitioner approach is increasingly important for many career professionals. The scientist-clinical and applied practitioner is a natural disciple of the media psychology specialty.  Thucydides, author of The History of the Peloponnesian War written in 431 B.C.E., is reputed to have said it best:

“A nation that draws too broad a difference between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking being done by cowards, and its fighting done by fools.”

Combining research, theory and practice maximizes new opportunities in health services, public service and public policy, publishing, education, entertainment and commerce for those with a solid foundational understanding of theories in psychology and their connection to human behavior.

The APA Society for Media Psychology and Technology will heighten awareness, open new career options and serve as a catalyst in providing a forum so that working together we can achieve a better world.

Society Website:   http://www.apa.org/divisions/div46/index...

References:

Luskin, Bernard Jay, (1970) An Identification and Examination of Obstacles to the Development of Computer Assisted Instruction, University Microfilm ID: 7199656, 288 pages

Luskin, B. J., & Friedland, L. (1998). Task force report: Media psychology and new technologies. Washington, DC: Division of Media Psychology, Division 46 of the American Psychological Association. Link:http://www.apa.org/divisions/div46/articles.html

Luskin, B.J. (2003, May/June) Media psychology: A field that’s time is here, The California Psychologist, May/June, 2003, reprinted, National Psychologist

_______________

Dr. Bernard Luskin is President-elect (2014), of the Society for Media Psychology and Technology, the Media Psychology Division 46 of the American Psychological Association. In 2011, the Society recognized Bernie Luskin with its award for Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in Media Psychology. He can be reached at: BernieLuskin@gmail.com, www.LuskinInternational.com.

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Fielding alumna Melle Starsen presents in the US and the UK with research of steroetypes in media

Posted by Hilary Edwards on Fri, Oct 26, 2012

Starsen started off 2012 by traveling to the University of Oregon in Portland, OR, Loughborough University in Loughborough, UK, and John Moores University in Liverpool, UK presenting her research titled: "Cool to be cruel: Mean-spiritedness in 21st century children's TV sitcoms"  Starsen cites, "Much has been written about the proven negative effects viewing television violence has on children and yet there is another kind of violent role-modeling embedded in an unlikely place: children’s television sitcoms. This content analysis investigated live-action children’s half-hour sitcoms and discovered the presence of relational aggression and superiority humor, both of which rely on brutally treating other humans as inferior. The television characters seek revenge on each other, intentionally make others look bad or stupid, humiliate peers and parents, and are rarely punished for their mean-spiritedness and cruelty. The children’s sitcoms are behavioral blueprints of lies and deceit, as the characters unashamedly cheat others, defraud parents and other adults, and attempt to make peers and teachers look stupid and in the vernacular of the culture, “clueless.” Further, stereotypes are not only presented as acceptable, but are reinforced by frequent inclusion into the action. This study discovered myriad examples of mean-spiritedness and cruelty on the part of characters in the programs, ranging in frequency from 7 to 31.25 per half-hour episode, averaging 33.75 per hour for programs viewed. The study includes recommendations for parents and educators to help offset the possible negative effects of these programs."

For the next part of the year, Starsen began presenting her next topic: "Hidden messages: Archetypes in Blaxploitation Films" at the 2012 Film and History Conference-Film and Myth in Milwaukee, WI in September. Starsen states: "Many movie critics and researchers have rebuked Blaxploitation films (1970-1975) as sexist, racist, and, most of all, degrading to black audiences and the black community.  However, this empirical study of blaxploitation films has determined that far from presenting a negative image of the black community, many of the entries in this genre do in fact provide embedded archetypes that present consistent messages for black audiences about the need to eschew exploitation of their own people and communities and instead, support education, crime-reduction programs, and community outreach to improve the communities. The films, though accused of being violent and brutal, actually present messages about the need for black communities to stand together and right the wrongs of the past by supporting an almost sovereign nation-within-a-nation."

Starsen presented this research at the Midwest Popular Culture Association in Columbus, OH in October along with a second presentation titled "The metamorphosis of modern television news into 'entertainment propaganda" which she is scheduled to present at the upcoming Media and Politics Conference at the University on Bedfordshire, Luton, UK on Nov. 1-2, 2012.  

Starsen currently serves as assistant professor of communication at Upper Iowa University  which has an international and online presence; teaching television history, editing, writing for media, television production, media law and ethics, journalistic and online writing, and public speaking. Previously an instructor in communication for 10 years teaching screenwriting and speech. Published author with two novels, short stories in academic journals, and articles in national publications and journals. TV producer-director-writer at university PBS affiliate for nine years, producing documentary programs and PSAs. Researched, wrote and acted as location unit manager for American documentary on Dr Who. Journalist and freelance writer for 20 years, with articles in publications such as The New York Times. Wrote screenplay that is currently in pre-production. Appeared as extra in two films. Ten years’ experience acting and doing technical work in theatre. Ongoing research interests include: 1) using media such as film in successful college teaching; 2) importing real-life experience into university teaching pedagogy; and 3) researching and studying the millennial generation, so-called “echo boomers,” and their visually-oriented learning styles and short attention spans. Hobbies include photography, fossil hunting and collecting sea pottery shards from the UK.

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FBI, InfraGard (Albany Chapter), and Excelsior College to Hold Briefing for Capital Region News Media on Cyber Security Issues

FBI, InfraGard (Albany Chapter), and Excelsior College to Hold Briefing for Capital Region News Media on Cyber Security Issues

Excelsior College, in collaboration with the FBI and InfraGuard, will host an information session for news media in an effort to increase awareness of the need to protect personal and corporate, public and private information that relies upon electronic (cyber) storage and dissemination.

Data Privacy Day is led by the National Cyber Security Alliance, a non-profit, public/private partnership focused on cyber security education for all online citizens.

What: Cybersecurity Briefing for News Media in recognition of Data Privacy Day
Where: Excelsior College, 7 Columbia Circle, Albany, New York 12203
When: Monday, January 28, 2013; 2 pm – 3 pm

Contact Mike Lesczinski, Excelsior College's public relations manager at MLesczinski@Excelsior.edu for more information. Limited seating.

Program Outline:

I. Excelsior College
a. Growth in cyber activity past 5-10 years
b. National dependency on cyber world for personal & commercial information storage and communication
c. Growing need for trained cyber security professionals
II. FBI
a. Growth in cyber threats
b. Role of FBI in protecting the nation’s cyber infrastructure
c. Nature of domestic and international cyber threats
d. Why should individuals and companies be concerned
III. InfraGard
1. What is InfraGard
2. Nature of its programs and role in protecting the nation’s cyber infrastructure
IV. Open Forum

InfraGard
InfraGard is an information sharing and analysis effort serving the interests and combining the knowledge base of a wide range of members. At its most basic level, InfraGard is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the private sector. InfraGard is an association of businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and other participants dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the United States.
http://www.infragardalbany.org/

Excelsior
Excelsior College http://www.excelsior.edu is a regionally accredited, nonprofit distance learning institution that focuses on removing obstacles to the educational goals of adult learners. Founded in 1971 and located in Albany, NY, Excelsior is a proven leader in the assessment and validation of student knowledge. It offers more efficient and affordable access to degree completion through multiple avenues: its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance in transfer of credit from other colleges and universities as well as recognized corporate and military training programs. Excelsior College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education

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