Exploring the Psychological Consequences of Media News Consumption and Portrayal

Description

Page: 85-91

Varuni Sethi, Vanshika Shukla, and Saif R. Farooqi (Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi)

The advent and subsequent expansion of media has been transformative. It has increasingly brought people from the world over significantly closer. Moreover, it has made possible the exchange of news in real time. The same has however been followed by the darker side of media permeating the lives of individuals. The purpose of this paper is to review the psychological responses to catastrophic and negative news and imagery as presented in the media, thus synthesizing findings across literature. Moreover, an attempt has been made to review established theories that seek to explain the way media shapes human responses. News stories and visuals are often intense, occasionally uncensored and highly accessible for high rates of consumption. It can be anticipated that repeated exposure, especially around catastrophic events like armed conflicts and disasters, withholds the potential to instil fear, anger and distress. Moreover, it can be expected to harbour a response of emotional numbing. Humans may not be considered as passive recipients of the chaos surrounding them, both physically and that depicted virtually, and are likely to be emotionally and behaviourally stirred by the same. The nature-nurture debate continues to remind us that both biological and psychological manifestations need to be considered while reviewing these responses. This review holds implications for designing intervening measures that may be adopted at several levels. At a primary level, limiting the intake of news and making informed choices around consumption may be essential while from a macro standpoint, this may call for interventions at a policy level such as those surrounding the freedom afforded to individuals or the media at large to share information. It can be concluded that these responses emerging from exposure are crucial to understand as they shape public health and perceptions.