Psychology of media: effects on emotions

This has been proven with the impact that television has been having over human beings and the way they think. Television has the ability to shape our everyday lives, the way we view the world and, most importantly, the way we act. This has been a proven fact in seeing the immaculate effect these television programmes, videos and advertisements have somewhat shaped the thinking of most people.

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Bringing in the audience

The television industry is worth millions, if not billions. Therefore the structuring of television programmes have become a powerful tool to lure audiences in and around the world just to get rates up. Even if this means people need to suffer emotionally, the show still goes on. The influence of television in society has its pros and cons, which will be further elaborated on.

The greatest example of this can be during the election time, where programmes focus mostly on the different opposing parties, in advertising their good/bad work to make sure that people remember that they have to vote and to be somewhat ''directed'' into voting for that specific party.

The good and bad of TV

For instance in South Africa, one of the most influential drama series in the history of South African television was a drama series called Yizo Yizo. It had caused havoc in homes, schools and neighbourhoods. The series had focused on the youth and what was happening in South African high schools and society. In addition this included things such as gangsterism, teenage pregnancy and the rise of HIV/Aids.

On the emotional aspect, kids as young as seven were glued with excitement and inquisitive minds to television screens in and around SA to watch Yizo Yizo, even the elderly. Some parents hated it, they feared it would teach children the wrong things and some parents wanted their kids to watch for life lessons and the consequences of bad actions in life. The drama series was explicit in terms of language and graphics. It was an emotional see-saw for most families around SA and the media loved it.

In closing, the media has played the greatest impact by far in shaping our daily lives and is still continuing each and every day. With the film industry, music industry and television evolving each and every day, our lives are yet to be shaped for better or even for worse, but ultimately in the assurance we will still be learning from it.