The Media Psychology Research Center

The mission of the Media Psychology Research Center (MPRC) is to examine the interaction of media with human experience in every aspect of life. We believe that media can serve as a force for positive social change. Our goal is to foster human potential for all ages using media and technologies.

With FableVision and in collaboration with faculty at Harvard University and Oxford University, we are developing a blueprint for the next-generation, independent media lab. Using expertise in psychology and media, we study, evaluate and develop media programs, applications, and curricula that can make a positive contribution to education, healthcare, business, homelife, and entertainment.

Media Psychology is one of the most exciting and innovative branches of Psychology to emerge in the 21st century. It is an applied and research branch of psychology and part of a larger international and interdisciplinary trend in understanding the impact media have on individuals and groups. Communication technologies and media content are the fastest growing markets with implications for all fields interested in media’s ability to influence and inform.

CURRENT AREAS OF RESEARCH

MPRC closes the gap that between research and practice.

• What does technology mean for society and the individual? 
  • Attitudes and perceptions about technology and technology use
• Cultural sharing
  • Digital storytelling systems
  • Sharing narrative, have a voice and sharing experience across communities
• Emotions, moods, and attitudes
  • The use of technology to promote positive experiences through cognitive and emotional engagement: positive mood inducement, sense of self-efficacy, social connectedness
• Virtual worlds
  • New arena for expression and social modeling of new attitudes, skills, social roles, and personal identity
• Connecting
  • Human relationships mediated by technology
• Learning
  • Tools and environments for learning across the lifespan
• Usability
  • Psychological, perceptual and cognitive aspects of using technology

COLLABORATION

MPRC is committed to bringing researchers together with designers, developers, and distributors of all forms of current and proposed media content and platforms. Working closely together, the areas of research and practice will come together and inform the collective mission to create media that serves humankind. Media Psychology is perhaps the most exciting and innovative branch of Psychology to emerge for the 21st century. It is an applied and research branch of psychology and part of a larger international and interdisciplinary trend in understanding the impact media have on individuals and groups. Communication technology as well as media content is the fastest growing technological market with implications for all academic and professional fields interested in media’s ability to influence and inform.

BRINGING IDEAS TO MARKET

MPRC aims to have tangible impact, not simply provide more white papers and academic discussion. The goal is to touch the marketplace - to bring positive change to media and technology products in ways that affect people everyday. To that end, the methodology is collaborative, iterative and innovative.

MPRC invents by bringing together scientists and practitioners including authors, teachers, psychologists, business leaders, educational specialists, artists, engineers, producers, designers, animators, developers and distributors of all forms of current and proposed media content and platforms. We seek participation from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, cultures and nationalities to assess and create groundbreaking media outcomes. United by a common mission, we will foster sustained and fruitful collaboration that connects research to practice. And, in doing so, we will create media & technology that better serves us all.

The MPRC is is an active participant in educational media, story-telling and technology with the goal of better understanding the positive nature of these powerful tools. MPRC researches, field-tests and create media, products, curricula and programs that are designed to benefit learners across of all ages. We are working to make our Research Center a hands-on, long-term partner with other world-class organizations.

MPRC'S GOALS

• encourage needed outcome research in the field of media psychology & education – including the psychological impact of media & interactive technologies in the domain of learning, healthcare and general well-being
• incubate new ideas, products, solution services for learning, personal growth, well-being and positive social change
• support partners in testing products, services, and programming for optimal development through cycled research and real-time feedback
• increase the opportunity for the publication of research articles in this field
• provide opportunities and an infrastructure through which international graduate students can complete practical work
• bridge the gap between rigorous research and practice – specializing in “live applications” that allow rapid updates based on real-time research and actual practice

The Media Psychology Research Center (MPR) is a 501c3 non-profit corporation.