Psychology of Mass Media Images

4 units · Undergraduate upper division (100-199)

Lecture, four hours. Evolutionary approaches to the influence of mass media images on the development of out-group prejudice, perceptions of beauty and body image, and friendship and status motives. Study of stereotypes, stereotype threat, and how mass media images can distort your psychology. Evolutionary psychological perspectives on why people are attracted to sensational news, gossip, and advertising. Sex differences in preferences for sexually explicit media and in interpreting sexual intent. Effects of violent video games, including of stereotyped images of women in these games. Study of social media and mental health. Letter grading.