C
ClinPsycMasters
I was reading about vicarious traumatization in working with PTSD and abused patients. I started daydreaming and somehow I started thinking about media-induced vicarious traumatization. This can be something real, like September 11 attacks, war in Iraq/Afghanistan, or effects of poverty in India. Or through identification with characters in a movie about death and disease, aggression, rape, accidents, suicide--and feeling powerless, angry, frightened, sad, etc.
In the first case, there are issues of media responsibility that we need to consider. Sure, all sorts of "bad" things happen on a daily basis but the choice of news clips shown, various analyses/distortions/exaggerations, specially on major TV stations, can have serious consequences for the viewers (I need to find studies to back this up). Internet gives the user more freedom though search engines are much more likely to direct the user to certain major sites.
On the other side of the equation are the consumers of the media. Obviously they have the option not to watch news programs and other shows that make them uncomfortable. However, the viewers are susceptible to scare tactics and may be drawn to many programs out of fear. Hence, complementary educational programs to educate readers about the media can be very useful. Consumers who have the tools to critically evaluate media programs, and know about the various tactics used by the media producers--and the influence of various program contents on their psyche--can make informed decisions.
As far as fictitious programs, be it dramas or romantic comedies, there is no denying that identification with characters and allowing oneself to be truly absorbed by the happenings, can provide pleasure for those who enjoying experiencing intense emotions. Knowing that it's simply a movie, we should have enough control over the situation to be able to relax and go for the ride--not unlike going on a fun ride in an amusement park. Of course, even in this situation, it is not a bad idea to teach people about the effects of media on mental health. Watching violent or sad films every day of the week is certainly not to be taken lightly.
Okay, so I'm going to stop here. Feel free to agree/disagree with me, or criticize my reasoning. 🙂
p.s. I know, I know, I don't have data to back me up.
In the first case, there are issues of media responsibility that we need to consider. Sure, all sorts of "bad" things happen on a daily basis but the choice of news clips shown, various analyses/distortions/exaggerations, specially on major TV stations, can have serious consequences for the viewers (I need to find studies to back this up). Internet gives the user more freedom though search engines are much more likely to direct the user to certain major sites.
On the other side of the equation are the consumers of the media. Obviously they have the option not to watch news programs and other shows that make them uncomfortable. However, the viewers are susceptible to scare tactics and may be drawn to many programs out of fear. Hence, complementary educational programs to educate readers about the media can be very useful. Consumers who have the tools to critically evaluate media programs, and know about the various tactics used by the media producers--and the influence of various program contents on their psyche--can make informed decisions.
As far as fictitious programs, be it dramas or romantic comedies, there is no denying that identification with characters and allowing oneself to be truly absorbed by the happenings, can provide pleasure for those who enjoying experiencing intense emotions. Knowing that it's simply a movie, we should have enough control over the situation to be able to relax and go for the ride--not unlike going on a fun ride in an amusement park. Of course, even in this situation, it is not a bad idea to teach people about the effects of media on mental health. Watching violent or sad films every day of the week is certainly not to be taken lightly.
Okay, so I'm going to stop here. Feel free to agree/disagree with me, or criticize my reasoning. 🙂
p.s. I know, I know, I don't have data to back me up.
