Psychology of Media Influence: Shaping Thoughts, Behavior and Society

by Sayak Pal, Susmita Halder, Nitesh Tripathi, Brent R. Carr, Priya Palanimurugan, Menaashe Pooja, V. Shanthi, Pallabi Roy, Ivan Das, Dr. Pravat Ranjan Sethi, Ibeakamma Chinazaekpere Ugochinyere, Nabahirwa Edwine, Kidega Charles, Nilakshi Ghosh, Srijita Talukdar, Muskan, Harshita Goyal, Rhythm, Simran Singh, Chandrasekhar Bhoi, S Sachinkumar, Ayesha Rizwan, Sanmarga Pal, Shubhangi Rawat, Situ Saikh, Md Rashid Iqubal Siddique, Sapan Kr Gupta, Grace Saju, Sandra T. U., Malavika Menon, Abhishek Mitra, Sk Sahadot Ali, Payel Mazumder, Mayukh Mukherjee, Krishnakanth G, S. Arulsamy, Rohit Ganguly, Mousruti Khan, Surbhi Sharma, Debangana Chakrabarti, Latika Khullar, Manisha Khanal, Unmana Dutta, Sovanna Huot, Sovanna Loch, Ran Rin, Rajiv Kumar, Mahima Singhi, Ayona Chowdhury, Shinjini Samajdar, Rohit Kumar Pal, Pari Singh, Rupali Rawat

2025 · Mitra Press

The psychology of media influence plays a pivotal role in shaping human thoughts, behaviours, and societal norms. Through continuous exposure to digital and traditional media, individuals absorb information that affects their perceptions, emotions, and decision-making processes. Whether through news, social media, entertainment, or advertisements, media shapes public opinion, reinforces cognitive biases, and influences social interactions. This book, throughout the chapter, delves into the psychological mechanisms behind media consumption, examining its impact on mental health, political persuasion, misinformation, and consumer behaviour. Combining psychological theories with contemporary media analysis provides a compelling look at how media consumption influences everything from individual decision-making to societal trends. By understanding these dynamics, readers can become more conscious media consumers, fostering critical thinking and resilience against manipulative or misleading content. The chapters in the book collectively offer a deep and multifaceted examination of media psychology, covering a wide range of themes like Cognitive currents, Social Changes, Advertising Analysis, Addiction, Digital Distractions, Internet Addiction, Mobile Phone Dependency, Social Media Engagement, Cognitive Overload, Psychological Well-being, Media Illusion, Negative Impacts of Smartphone Usage, Adolescent Development, Empathy in Education, Emotional Engagement, Coded Realitie, Cognitive Impact, Digital Immersion, Animated Cartoon Series, Children’s Language, Behaviour Development, Digital Misogyny, Body Shaming, Feminist Resistance, Impulse Buying, Mindful Marketing, Consumer Psychology, FOMO, Brand Psychology, Empowerment Through the lens, Brain Hacking, Neuroplasticity, Silent Influencer, Gender-Based Violence, Tribal Worldviews, Disinformation, Psychological Distress, Anxiety, and Emotional Responses. This book will be an essential read for professionals in psychology, communication, marketing, and media studies, as well as for general audiences interested in understanding the media’s role in modern life. The book will also prove to be beneficial for students, faculty members, and industry socialists from the communication, psychology, and allied fields to gain an understanding of the psychology of media influence, which shapes the thoughts and behavior of individuals and society.