ROLE OF MEDIA IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Minahil Fakhar (SP21-BPY-042) Mohammad Babar (SP21-BPY-043) Nawal Wazir (SP21-

BPY-045) Neelam Nazar (SP21-BPY-046) Neesha Arshad (SP21-BPY-047) Nimra Tahir (SP21-
BPY-048) Quratulain Saleem (SP21-BPY-049) Roshni Rashid (SP21-BPY-051)

Department of Humanities, Comsats University Islamabad Advance Social Psychology

Ma’am Maryam Ali
April 17, 2023

INTRODUCTION (Minahil fakhar)

The role of media in social psychology is a topic of great importance in today's society. Media has
become an integral part of our daily lives, and its impact on our attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours cannot
be underestimated. Media, in all its forms, has the ability to shape and influence our perceptions of the
world around us, and this can have significant implications for our individual and collective psychological
well-being. As such, understanding the role of media in social psychology is essential for anyone seeking
to gain insight into the ways in which we interact with and interpret the world around us. In this regard, it
is important to explore the various ways in which media shapes our social identities, our attitudes towards
others, and our understanding of complex social issues. By doing so, we can better understand the ways in
which media can be used to promote positive change, and to foster greater social awareness and
understanding.

How Media influences our perceptions of social norms and values

Media has become an integral part of our daily lives, and it plays a crucial role in shaping our
perceptions of social norms and values. Social norms and values are the unwritten rules that
guide our behavior in society. They dictate how we should behave, what we should believe, and
what is acceptable or unacceptable in our communities. Media, including television, newspapers,
magazines, and social media, has the power to influence how we view and interpret these norms
and values.
Media and Social Norms

Media has a significant impact on how we perceive and interpret social norms. Television shows,
movies, and advertisements often depict certain behaviors and lifestyles as desirable, thereby
reinforcing these behaviors as socially acceptable. For example, advertisements featuring thin
and attractive models can create a perception that being thin is desirable and socially acceptable,
leading to a rise in eating disorders and body image issues. Similarly, television shows and
movies often depict certain gender roles, such as men being strong and dominant, and women
being submissive and emotional, which can perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes. These
stereotypes can have far-reaching consequences, such as unequal pay, lack of representation in
certain fields, and the normalization of toxic masculinity and femininity.

Media and Social Values

Media also has a significant impact on how we view and interpret social values. Social values are
the beliefs and principles that guide our behavior and decision-making in society. Media can
reinforce or challenge these values by portraying certain behaviors or lifestyles as desirable or
undesirable. By highlighting certain perspectives and opinions, the media can influence how we
view and interpret these values.

Media and Cultural Norms

Media also has the power to influence our perceptions of cultural norms. Cultural norms are the
unwritten rules that guide behavior within a specific cultural group. Media can either reinforce or
challenge these norms by portraying certain cultural practices as desirable or undesirable. For
example, the media can either reinforce or challenge traditional gender roles and cultural
practices in different societies. In some societies, certain cultural practices, such as arranged
marriages, may be seen as desirable, while in others, they may be seen as oppressive.

Conclusion

Media plays a significant role in shaping our perceptions of social norms and values. It can
reinforce or challenge these norms and values by portraying certain behaviors and lifestyles as
desirable or undesirable. Therefore, it is essential to be critical of the media we consume and
question how it may be influencing our perceptions of social norms and values. By doing so, we
can better understand how media shapes our worldviews and make more informed decisions
about the values and beliefs we hold.

The effects of media on our self-concept and self-esteem

Media is a powerful tool that influences our perceptions and beliefs about ourselves and the
world around us. It is a constant presence in our daily lives, whether we are watching television,
browsing social media, or reading news articles online. The media has the ability to shape our
self-concept and self-esteem in both positive and negative ways.

Self-concept refers to the beliefs and attitudes that we hold about ourselves, including our values,
personality traits, and abilities. Self-esteem refers to the overall evaluation we have of ourselves,
including our sense of self-worth and confidence. The media can have a profound impact on both
of these aspects of our self-perception.

One way in which media affects our self-concept is through the portrayal of certain ideals and
standards of beauty. The media often portrays a narrow definition of what it means to be
beautiful or attractive, which can lead individuals to feel inadequate or insecure about their own
appearance. For example, the constant exposure to images of thin, flawless models in magazines
and on social media can make individuals who do not fit that mold feel as though they are not
attractive or desirable.

Similarly, media can influence our perceptions of success and achievement. The media often
promotes the idea that success is defined by wealth, power, and fame, which can make
individuals who do not possess these qualities feel as though they are not successful. This can
lead to feelings of inadequacy and a negative self-concept.

On the other hand, media can also have positive effects on our self-concept and self- esteem. For
example, media can provide representation and visibility for individuals from underrepresented
groups, such as people of color and individuals with disabilities. This can help to validate their
identities and promote a positive self-concept.

Media can also serve as a source of inspiration and motivation. For example, seeing stories of
individuals who have overcome adversity or achieved great success can motivate individuals to
pursue their own goals and aspirations. Additionally, media can provide educational content that
can improve an individual's self-concept by providing them with new knowledge and skills.

It is important to note that the effects of media on our self-concept and self-esteem are not the
same for everyone. The impact of media can vary depending on an individual's age, gender,
culture, and personal experiences. Additionally, individuals have the ability to interpret and
process media in different ways, which can lead to different effects on their self-concept and
self-esteem.

To conclude media can have both positive and negative effects on our self-concept and self-
esteem. It is important to be aware of the messages that media is promoting and to critically
evaluate them in order to minimize negative effects and maximize positive effects. By doing so,
individuals can cultivate a more positive and healthy self-concept and self-esteem.

The role of media in shaping our attitudes towards different groups

(ethnic, religious, political) (NawalWazir)
General role of media in shaping our opinions
Be it print media, broadcast media or social media. Media has become a part of everyone’s life.
It plays a major role in spreading news, awareness and has become an increasingly popular
source of communication. Over the course of its history, the horizon for media has only grown.
In today’s role, media has the power to shape people’s opinion, consequently affecting their
behaviors and way of life. Certainly enough, this power is wrongfully used to exploit people and
spread twisted information.

For instance:
- If a news item is covered more frequently, especially on national news, the audience will regard
the issue as more important:

1. Palestinian situation Vs the Notre- Dame fire in France April 2019

2. Muslims in Uyghur
3. US destruction of Iraq, Libya and Syria
But of course, #SaveTheTurtles is a pressing issue that needed immediate attention.

A ‘Muslim’ commits a crime and the entire Ummah is labelled ‘terrorist’ But the shooter of
Christchurch mosque shootings of March 2019 is referred to as Christchurch gunman and white
supremacist.
(Politically, the back and forth bans on certain news channels for airing PTI)

Factors that contribute to people’s opinions

1. Direct experience, (in my experience, i have found it to be opposite of what the media portrays
about the world)
2. knowledge from other sources (the recent situation regarding the Quiz at university) and

3. logic are a few factors that contribute to the degree to which audiences accept or reject
messages from the media. (is subjective)

Media shapes our opinion through subtle exaggerations and assumptions

1. The Anti-Muslim agenda originating from 9/11: fundamentally extremist, terrorist

2. Misrepresentation of terms like ‘Allah O Akbar’, ‘jihad’ and ‘hijab’:
It can be argued that religion per se suffers at the hands of media, but it is recognized that the
media seem to have a distinct aversion to Islam and Muslims (Said, 1996).
3. The British Media and Muslim Representation: The Ideology of Demonisation:
Nahdi (2003) talks about a “Western news agenda dominated by hostile, careless coverage of
Islam [which] distorts reality and destroys trust”.

In his analysis of Muslims and Islam in the British press, Whitaker (2002) notes that “there are
four very persistent stereotypes that crop up time and again in the different articles. These tell us
that Muslims are intolerant, misogynistic, violent or cruel, and finally, strange or different” (p.
55).
Impact of social media on our social cognitions and behaviour
(Nimra Tahir)
One of the most popular terms we encounter these days is social media. Playing an integral role
in people’s lives around the world, social media has become increasingly popular to the extent
that it significantly influences the human mind. With social media usage on the rise, users are
unaware of how mentally unhealthy it is to be frequently exposed to these computer-mediated
technologies.

Not only can social media services affect cognitive development, but our lives have also been
invaded by this wave of technology and we have overlooked the importance of face- to-face
contact. We need to be reminded that interacting face-to-face is essential for communication
because it is of higher quality and has the ability to satisfy more of our inherent social needs.

Effect of social media on our cognition

Regarding adolescents, who are considered the prime users of technology, social media sites
prove to affect their cognitive development. With content and information readily available, it
has become a reality for young adults to not engage in cognitive effortful processes.

Screen exposure in infants is associated with poorer language and cognitive development. From
about 2 years of age and older, children become increasingly able to comprehend screen media
content. This has a distracting and negative effect on infants and on parent children interactions.

From a general perspective of the whole population, social media influences multi- tasking skills
and memorization processes. Surprisingly, digital media decreases the cognitive capacity to
multitask by narrowing our ability to ignore other distractions. With the social media also having
the ability to store information, people can rely on the memory of the internet, rather than using
their own brain.

Effect of social media on our behaviour

Every tool has its own share of effects on society. Regarding social media, aggressive behaviours
regularly displayed on social media platforms can cause users to experience depressive
tendencies and transfer aggressive behaviours into different dimensions. Human behaviour
changes more when we dabble with technology especially with social media. The daily use of
social media by people has increased so much that it is slowly injecting an inflection into our
behaviours.

Actions such as tagging only loved ones, transferring visual materials to virtual environments
without others permission, and making oneself appear to have this great life by posting better
aspects of one’s life, all classify as common aggressive behaviours presented on social media
services.
With the major consequences of online usage in view, it is understood that the process of
thinking and human behaviour is considerably shaped by the rise of social media.

The relationship between media exposure and aggression (Quratulain Saleem)

Studies and research indicate that exposure to media violence is a strong predictor of aggressive
behaviour. An average child may be exposed to about 10,000 violent incidents in a year. Of
these, at least 500 incidents pose a high risk of the child imitating aggression and lead to them
becoming desensitized to violence

 ● Researchers think that there is a reciprocal relationship among viewing media violence
at a young age, aggressive behaviour and developing a taste for seeing even more media
violence.
 ● The most concerning fact is that research indicates that people learn their attitudes
about violence at a very early age (eight years or younger) and, apparently once learned,
those attitudes are difficult to change.
 ● Recent research has shown that exposure to media violence causes both children and
adults to behave in a much more aggressive manner, affecting them for years to come.
 ● The intensity of desensitization of violence and tendency for violent behaviour increase
as the child grows and becomes an adult.

How media can contribute to the development of stereotypes and prejudice

Mass media have huge reach in society and are a key filter through which people learn about
each other, yet countless studies demonstrate that these media continue to reproduce ethnic and
racial stereotypes, with often harmful effects. In various mediums – news, drama, and gaming –
ethnic minority groups are typically marginalized and overlooked. Very often, when they are
represented, they are shown only in narrowly stereotyped roles. Mass media play a role in
shaping collective identities and intergroup attitudes and, by typecasting certain groups, distort
the picture that audiences see of different groups. There is evidence to suggest these skewed
media representations can not only promote public hostility toward other ethnic groups but also
lower ethnic minority individuals’ self-esteem.

When there is a lack of contact between racial groups, people tend to rely on media stereotypes
to formulate ideas about people outside of their own race.

Role of social media in promoting Prosocial Behaviour (Neesha)

Social media can play a significant role in promoting prosocial behaviour by providing a
platform for people to connect and engage with others in positive and meaningful ways. Here are
some ways in which social media can promote prosocial behaviour:

1. Spreading awareness: social media can be a powerful tool for spreading awareness about
important social issues and causes. People can use social media platforms to share
information and resources related to these issues, such as articles, videos, and
 infographics, and help raise awareness and educate others about the causes they care
about.

2. Crowdfunding for charity: Many social media platforms offer tools and features that
enable users to raise money for charitable causes. This can include setting up
crowdfunding campaigns, donating to existing campaigns, or participating in virtual
fundraising events.

3. Fostering social connections: social media can help people connect with others who share
similar interests and values, which can promote feelings of social connectedness and
well-being. This can include joining social media groups related to specific causes or
interests, participating in online discussions, or attending virtual events.

4. Promoting positive messages: social media can be used to spread positive messages and
encourage prosocial behavior. This can include sharing inspirational stories or quotes,
promoting positive mental health messages, or encouraging people to engage in acts of
kindness.

Overall, social media can be a powerful tool for promoting prosocial behavior and encouraging
people to get involved in their communities and make a positive difference in the world.
However, it's important to use social media responsibly and be mindful of the potential risks and
challenges associated with online communication and interaction.

Role of media in the spread of Misinformation and Fake New

(Roshni Rashid)
Misinformation and fake news are heavily influenced by the media. The following are some
ways that the media can exacerbate the issue:

1. Increasing sensationalism: Some media outlets prefer sensationalism to accuracy in

their pursuit of increased ratings, clicks, and engagement. Even if the information is not
totally factual, they could sensationalize news items or headlines to grab attention. As
sensationalized stories frequently go viral and get shared on social media platforms, this
can lead to the quick and widespread transmission of false information.
2. Lack of fact-checking: Fact-checking occasionally takes a backseat in today's fast-
paced news climate, where there is great pressure to be the first to publish a story. Some
media outlets might report news quickly without checking its veracity. This may result in
the propagation of inaccurate or misleading information that is simple for other media
sources and social media users to pick up on and disseminate.
 3. Unverified sources and anonymous information: In some occasions, media outlets
may rely on unverified sources or anonymous information, especially in breaking news
situations. As a result, false information may be spread because the sources' veracity

and dependability may not have been sufficiently assessed. Unverified material can spread
widely on social media and throughout the media ecosystem, which encourages the propagation
of fake news.

4. Clickbait and deceptive headlines: Clickbait headlines can be deceptive or overstated and may
not correctly reflect the content of the article or news story. They are used to draw clicks and
earn money. When people post such headlines without reading the full article or checking the
material, it can mislead readers and viewers, leading to the spread of false information.

It is crucial to remember that not all media channels distribute false information, and many
reputable news organisations adhere to strict journalistic standards to guarantee the veracity and
integrity of their reporting. To prevent the spread of false information and fake news, media
consumers must critically assess the information they consume, double-check it with multiple
sources, and exercise caution when sharing unverified or sensationalised news stories in the
digital age.

The influence of social media on our decision making processes (Babar)

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives and has a significant impact on how
we think, feel, and make decisions. With the rise of social media platforms such as Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, people have access to an endless stream of information,
opinions, and ideas.

One of the most significant impacts of social media on decision-making is the influence of social
proof. Social proof is the concept that people are more likely to believe and follow the actions of
others. When we see that a large number of people are liking, commenting, or sharing a
particular post or idea, it can influence our perception of the topic and shape our decision-making
processes.

Social media also allows us to connect with people from all around the world, which can expose
us to diverse perspectives and ideas. This can broaden our horizons and help us make more
informed decisions. However, it can also lead to information overload, which can be
overwhelming and confusing.

Another way social media influences our decision-making is through the use of targeted
advertising. Social media platforms collect data on our browsing and purchasing behaviors and

use this information to show us personalized ads. These ads can influence our decision-making
by making us aware of products or services that we may not have considered before.

Finally, social media can also influence our decision-making by creating a fear of missing out
(FOMO). When we see our friends or peers posting about their experiences or purchases, we
may feel pressure to do the same to avoid missing out on something. This can lead to impulsive
decision-making and overspending.

Overall, social media has a significant impact on our decision-making processes, and it is
essential to be aware of the potential biases and influences that it can have. It is essential to
critically evaluate the information we receive and consider multiple perspectives before making
any decisions.

Effects of media on our perception of beauty and body image

(Neelam nazar)
The media plays a significant role in shaping our perception of beauty and body image. The
images and messages we see in the media can have a powerful impact on how we view ourselves
and others, and can contribute to unrealistic expectations and unhealthy behaviours.

The promotion of an idealized beauty

One of the most significant effects of the media on our perception of beauty is the promotion of
an idealized, narrow standard of beauty that is often unattainable for most people. Through
advertising, television shows, movies, and social media, we are constantly bombarded with
images of thin, toned, and conventionally attractive models and celebrities. These images can
lead to feelings of inadequacy and pressure to conform to an impossible standard of beauty.

Stereotypes and biases

Furthermore, the media often perpetuates harmful stereotypes and biases related to body size,
race, and gender. For example, thinness is often equated with beauty and success, while larger
bodies are stigmatized and marginalized. Similarly, certain racial and ethnic groups are often
portrayed in a stereotypical or fetishized manner, perpetuating harmful and inaccurate ideas
about what constitutes beauty.

Unhealthy behaviors towards food and exercise

In addition to promoting unrealistic beauty standards, the media can also contribute to unhealthy
behaviors and attitudes towards food and exercise. Diet and fitness trends are often promoted in
the media, and can lead to unhealthy habits such as restrictive eating and excessive

exercise. These behaviors can have serious consequences for physical and mental health,
including eating disorders and body dysmorphic.

Overall, it is important to recognize the powerful influence that the media can have on our
perception of beauty and body image, and to take steps to critically evaluate and challenge the
messages we are exposed to. This might involve limiting our exposure to certain types of media,
seeking out diverse and inclusive representation, and promoting body positivity and self-
acceptance.