What definition of media psychology do you think is most appropriate? What do you think might be missing from these definitions or what could you add to improve them? (The article and the website include definitions; remember that you will need to click around inside the website to get the most out of it.)
Should media psychology be a psychology course or a communications course? At Brandman, it is a psychology course, but you could make a case either way. Support your response.
Were you familiar with media psychology before hearing about it at Brandman and enrolling in this course? If so, what have you discovered that you did not know? If not, what interests you most about media psychology?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Defining Media Psychology
Media psychology can be defined as the study of how media influences human behavior, cognition, and emotions. It encompasses the analysis of various forms of media, such as television, film, social media, and advertising, and explores the psychological processes that occur during media consumption.
While there are different definitions of media psychology, one that I find most appropriate is the integration of psychological principles and theories with media research to understand the impact of media on individuals and society. This definition acknowledges the interdisciplinary nature of media psychology, drawing upon both psychology and communication studies to explore the psychological effects of media.
However, one aspect that might be missing from these definitions is the emphasis on the reciprocal relationship between individuals and media. Media psychology should not only investigate how media influences people, but also how individuals actively engage with media, interpret its messages, and shape their own media consumption patterns. Including this aspect would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interaction between individuals and media.
Psychology or Communications Course?
The question of whether media psychology should be a psychology course or a communications course is open to interpretation. While both disciplines offer valuable perspectives, I believe that positioning media psychology as a psychology course is most appropriate.
By framing media psychology within the field of psychology, the course can delve deeper into the psychological processes underlying media effects. It allows for a thorough exploration of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects related to media consumption. Additionally, a psychology-focused approach enables students to apply established psychological theories and research methods to the study of media.
Psychology provides a solid foundation for understanding human behavior and cognition, which are essential in comprehending how individuals respond to media stimuli. By examining topics such as media violence, advertising persuasion, or social media effects through a psychological lens, students gain a more nuanced understanding of the intricate relationship between media and human psychology.
While communication studies also offer valuable insights into media effects, positioning media psychology solely as a communications course may limit the depth of psychological analysis. However, an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates elements from both disciplines could also be beneficial in providing a more holistic perspective.
Familiarity with Media Psychology
Before enrolling in this course at Brandman, I was familiar with the concept of media psychology but had limited knowledge of its scope and depth. What intrigued me most about media psychology was its potential to bridge the gap between two areas I am passionate about – psychology and media. Exploring how media influences human behavior and cognition resonated with my interest in understanding the impact of technology on our lives.
Throughout this course, I have discovered that media psychology encompasses a wide range of topics and research areas. From studying the effects of media violence on aggression to examining the portrayal of gender roles in advertising, media psychology offers valuable insights into how media shapes our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. I have also learned about various theoretical frameworks and research methods employed in media psychology, enabling me to critically analyze and evaluate media content from a psychological perspective.
Overall, what interests me most about media psychology is its relevance in today’s digitally connected world. It provides a lens through which we can understand the profound influence of media on individuals and society. By studying media psychology, we can develop strategies for responsible media consumption, promote media literacy, and harness the potential of media for positive outcomes in various domains such as education, health, and entertainment.
