Understanding media technology and human behaviour

Communication Science: Media Psychology

How do media affect the mind, body and behavior of individuals? Which people are most susceptible to these effects? And how can media contribute to individuals' well-being?

How do media affect the mind, body, and behavior of individuals? Which people are most susceptible to these effects? And how can media contribute to an individual’s well-being?

Media psychology is an incredibly important and relevant field. People increasingly live with and through media: from television and social media to AI-chatbots and robots. The media we choose to engage with shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. In this specialisation, you will examine how media consumption shapes people’s thoughts and perceptions of the world, and learn how to use these insights to tackle challenges through innovative communication technologies.

Here you will find a year overview of the master per specialisation.

The start date for Communication Science is September 1.

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Communication Science has three different specialisations

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1st year

The programme

The Master’s programme in Communication Science: Media Psychology offers theoretical depth on social issues that you will learn to apply in the professional field.

In the first semester of the Media Psychology programme, you will take the courses 'Essentials of Media Psychology' and 'Problematic and Beneficial Effects of Media Use'. You will also complete two method courses that focus on innovative approaches of collecting and analysing data. Additionally, you will follow Impact with Media Psychology in the first semester, a course designed to help you apply scientific research to real-world communication challenges.

In the second semester, you will choose two electives to broaden your knowledge or dive deeper into specific topics. The electives include Communication Technology in Organizations, Branding and Design, Social Marketing, Storytelling: the Persuasive Power of Narratives, Privacy, Self-disclosure and Big Data, and Social Robotics. You will also start your Master’s thesis in the second semester. One of your lecturers (each a leading expert in their field) will supervise you in your research on the latest developments in communication and media.

Courses

Essentials of Media Psychology
Problematic and Beneficial Effects of Media Use
Impact with Media Psychology
Research Methods in Communication Science
Computational Analysis of Digital Communication
Masterthesis Communication Science

Course highlights
Essentials of Media Psychology offers theoretical insights into how media affects the brain, body and behaviour of individuals. Topics include selective media use, message processing, media violence, addiction, emotional responses, mediated reality and the future of communication technology. You learn, based on theory, how you could (re)design new media technologies in such a way that negative psychological effects can be avoided and positive effects can arise.

The rise of new media often leads to public debates. Some fear that media use will worsen our well-being, while others expect new media to improve our lives. In the course Problematic and Beneficial Effects of Media Use, you will analyse the benefits and challenges associated with communication technologies and our relationship with them: from cyberbullying, cyberslacking, cyberchondria, addiction, online dating, virtual reality, loneliness to sexual harassment. Whereas the discussion used to revolve mostly around video games, personal computers and the internet, today's public discussion focuses on the development of AI, ChatGPT, Virtual Reality and social robotics.

Consult the Study Guide for more information.

At Communication Science at VU, you will be taught by lecturers and researchers from a wide range of academic backgrounds. While they specialize in Communication Science, many also bring expertise from social psychology, media psychology, political science, and text, film and literary studies. Teaching and research are closely intertwined, ensuring that your education is directly informed by the latest academic insights.

In each specialisation, you will take one project course during the first semester: Impact with Media Psychology. In this course, you are challenged to tackle societal issues by conducting research for a company or organization that is facing a communication problem. Based on a thorough scientific analysis, you present a concrete recommendation or intervention to the organization.

For stakeholders, this proves to be very useful: in previous years, many of these recommendations have been directly adopted and implemented in practice. Through these practical assignments, you gain practical experience during your Communication Science degree and develop a clear understanding of the types of challenges organizations commonly face.

You will also work on company-provided real-life cases in other courses.Throughout the CS: Media Psychology programme, you will have ample opportunity to strengthen both your professional skills and your network.

After completing a Master’s in Communication Science, you could pursue a career as a strategist at a marketing or advertising agency, or work as a communication consultant for organizations in the private sector, non-profit sector, or government.

Discover your future prospects

Communication Science: Media Psychology

Interdisciplinary

Impact with Media Psychology

Change your future with the study of Communication Science

Change your future with the study of Communication Science

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