Psychology of Popular Media

Scope & Guideline

Innovating Research at the Intersection of Psychology and Culture

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of Psychology of Popular Media with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN2689-6567
PublisherEDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING FOUNDATION-AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2020 to 2024
AbbreviationPSYCHOL POP MEDIA / Psychol. Pop. Media
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address750 FIRST ST, NE, WASHINGTON, DC 20002-4242

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Psychology of Popular Media' aims to explore the intersection of psychological principles and popular media. It emphasizes the impact of various media forms on individual and societal behaviors, attitudes, and identities.
  1. Media Effects on Mental Health:
    Researching how different media types, including social media, television, and video games, influence mental health outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, and self-esteem.
  2. Identity and Representation:
    Examining how representation in media affects identity formation and social perceptions, particularly among marginalized groups, including LGBTQIA+ communities.
  3. Parasocial Relationships:
    Investigating the nature and implications of parasocial relationships between audiences and media figures, including the emotional and psychological effects of these connections.
  4. Cultural and Social Norms:
    Analyzing how media content shapes and reflects cultural and social norms, including gender roles, body image ideals, and racial stereotypes.
  5. Interactive Media Engagement:
    Studying the effects of interactive media, such as video games and virtual reality, on user engagement, emotional responses, and social behaviors.
  6. Misinformation and Media Literacy:
    Exploring the impact of misinformation in media and the importance of media literacy in navigating digital landscapes.
The journal has exhibited a dynamic evolution in its focus areas, with several emerging themes gaining traction in recent publications. These trends highlight the changing landscape of media interaction and its psychological implications.
  1. Mental Health and Social Media:
    An increasing focus on how social media use correlates with mental health outcomes, particularly among youth, reflects growing societal concerns about digital well-being.
  2. Diversity and Inclusion in Media Representation:
    Research emphasizing the importance of diverse and inclusive representation in media, particularly regarding race, gender, and sexual orientation, is gaining prominence.
  3. Impact of Interactive Technologies:
    The exploration of virtual reality and gaming as tools for social interaction and their psychological effects is becoming a prominent theme, indicating a shift towards immersive media experiences.
  4. Coping Mechanisms and Media Consumption:
    Studies examining how media serves as a coping mechanism during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have emerged, highlighting the role of media in emotional regulation.
  5. Misinformation and Belief Formation:
    The analysis of misinformation dissemination through social media, especially during significant events, is increasingly relevant, focusing on how beliefs are formed and challenged.

Declining or Waning

While the journal has consistently focused on several core areas, certain themes have shown a decline in prominence over recent years. This may reflect shifts in societal interests, technological advancements, or changes in media consumption habits.
  1. Traditional Media Critique:
    There has been a noticeable shift away from critiques of traditional media formats such as television and film, as newer forms of media gain more attention and relevance in research.
  2. Violence in Media:
    Research on media violence and its effects has seen a decline, possibly due to growing interest in more nuanced psychological impacts of media, such as emotional engagement and identity.
  3. Gender Stereotypes in Media:
    While still relevant, the frequency of studies focusing solely on gender stereotypes in media appears to be waning, as discussions have evolved to encompass a broader range of identity factors.
  4. Celebrity Culture:
    Research specifically targeting celebrity culture and its psychological effects has shown a decrease, indicating a potential shift towards a more generalized understanding of media influence.
  5. Nostalgia in Media Consumption:
    The exploration of nostalgia as a theme in media consumption has lessened, possibly due to the emergence of more immediate concerns related to current media impacts.

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