IGNOU FREE BPCG-174 Psychology and Media Solved Guess Paper 2025

Q1. Explain the relationship between psychology and media. How does media influence human thought, emotion, and behaviour?

Psychology and media are deeply interconnected because media functions as one of the most powerful agents influencing human cognition, emotions, and behaviour. Psychology helps us understand how people perceive, interpret, and respond to media messages, while media uses psychological principles—such as persuasion, attention, learning, memory, and emotion—to attract and influence audiences. Media frames issues, primes viewers’ thoughts, and reinforces beliefs by repeatedly presenting certain images, symbols, and narratives. Human beings are naturally drawn toward emotionally appealing content, visual imagery, and stories, and media capitalizes on this psychological tendency. Whether it is news, films, advertisements, or social media posts, media shapes attitudes by making some ideas more accessible in memory and by triggering emotional responses. Thus, media functions not merely as a source of information, but as a psychological environment that shapes public opinion, identity, value systems, and social norms.

Media also influences behaviour by appealing to desires, fears, aspirations, and insecurities. Social media platforms stimulate constant comparison, leading to changes in self-esteem and body image. Advertisements influence consumer behaviour by associating products with happiness, success, or attractiveness. Entertainment media influences aggression, empathy, gender roles, and cultural perceptions. News media affects political behaviour and community attitudes through agenda-setting and framing effects. Repeated exposure to specific media messages can normalize certain behaviours such as violence, substance use, or unrealistic beauty standards. Overall, psychology explains why media is so persuasive and how it shapes human tendencies, while media provides a real-world context for psychological processes to manifest. Together, they create a powerful system that constructs human experience in the digital age.

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Q2. Discuss the nature of virtual world interaction and its psychological impact on human behaviour.

The virtual world consists of online communication platforms, social media networks, online gaming, and virtual reality environments that allow individuals to form connections and interact without physical presence. Unlike face-to-face communication, virtual interaction offers anonymity, flexibility, and freedom to construct or modify one’s identity. This makes online spaces attractive, especially for youth, because they can express themselves without fear of social judgment. Virtual interactions transcend geographical boundaries and create global communities based on shared interests. However, they also encourage curated identities—profiles that show only idealized aspects of oneself. This can lead to discrepancies between real and virtual identities and may contribute to insecurity, comparison, and emotional distress. In virtual worlds, communication cues such as facial expressions, tone, and gestures are absent or limited, altering the way relationships and social understanding develop.

Psychologically, virtual interactions can produce both positive and negative effects. On one hand, they offer emotional support, belongingness, empowerment, and opportunities for learning. On the other hand, excessive engagement in virtual spaces may cause addiction, social isolation, reduced attention span, and dependency on virtual validation (likes, comments, followers). The anonymity of online spaces can lead to disinhibition, encouraging behaviours such as trolling, cyberbullying, and aggressive comments that people might not display offline. Social media platforms activate reward mechanisms in the brain, creating dopamine-driven habits that impact mental health by increasing anxiety, FOMO (fear of missing out), and dissatisfaction. Thus, the virtual world radically reshapes human interaction, offering vast possibilities while also creating psychological vulnerabilities that must be understood and managed responsibly.

Q3. Explain persuasion in media. How does media influence attitudes, opinions, and consumer behaviour?

Persuasion in media refers to the strategic use of messages designed to change or reinforce people’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour. Media employs psychological techniques such as emotional appeal, fear appeal, repetition, credibility of the messenger, celebrity endorsements, and storytelling to influence audiences. Advertisements persuade consumers by linking products with desirable states such as happiness, confidence, beauty, or social acceptance. News media uses framing and priming to shape public opinion about political and social issues. For example, presenting an issue repeatedly in a certain manner makes audiences perceive it as important (agenda-setting), while highlighting certain aspects over others shapes interpretation (framing). Social media influencers increase persuasion through relatability and parasocial interaction—a psychological connection where followers feel personally attached to them.

Media influences consumer behaviour by shaping preferences, creating demands, and altering purchasing decisions. Exposure to repeated advertisements cultivates desire for products, even when they are not essential. Media also influences social attitudes by reinforcing stereotypes, promoting certain lifestyles, and normalizing cultural trends. For example, beauty standards projected by media affect self-esteem, while portrayals of violence or substance use can influence behavioural tendencies. In politics, media persuasion can shape voting patterns, civic participation, and ideological alignment. By controlling how information is presented, media becomes a powerful force that guides public attitudes and behaviours. Thus, persuasion in media is a systematic, psychologically grounded process that impacts individuals and society at multiple levels.

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Q4. Discuss how media representation influences social behaviour, stereotypes, and cultural perceptions.

Media representation refers to the way individuals, groups, cultures, genders, and communities are portrayed across media platforms. These portrayals affect how society perceives those groups and how individuals understand their own identity. When media repeatedly presents certain groups in negative roles—such as linking specific communities with crime or depicting women as dependent and emotional—it shapes public attitudes and reinforces stereotypes. Stereotypes created by media influence how people behave toward different social groups and how they judge them. For example, beauty ideals shown in advertisements often influence how people evaluate attractiveness and may lead to body dissatisfaction. Representation of gender roles in television and films also shapes expectations regarding masculinity and femininity. These portrayals, whether accurate or biased, establish norms that people internalize and reflect in their behaviour.

Media can also challenge harmful stereotypes by offering positive, diverse, and empowering representations. When media showcases women in leadership roles, portrays LGBTQ+ individuals respectfully, or highlights achievements of marginalized groups, it promotes social inclusion and reduces prejudice. Media narratives foster empathy by telling stories that help viewers understand different experiences and cultures. However, biased or sensationalized media can fuel discrimination, fear, and social division. For example, exaggerated crime reporting can create moral panic, and political bias can polarize communities. Thus, media representation shapes cultural perception and social behaviour by influencing what society considers normal, acceptable, or deviant. The psychological impact of such representation is significant because people rely on media to interpret the world around them.

Q5. Explain the role of media in education. How does media transform learning, motivation, and knowledge acquisition?

Media plays a transformative role in modern education by making learning more accessible, interactive, and engaging. Through digital platforms, television, radio, animation, virtual classrooms, and educational apps, media provides opportunities for self-paced learning, visual understanding, and global collaboration. Complex concepts become easier to understand when presented through videos, diagrams, simulations, and graphics. Media enhances motivation because audio-visual content captures attention, stimulates curiosity, and supports different learning styles. Students can access online lectures, tutorials, e-books, and virtual labs, breaking geographical barriers and democratizing education. Digital learning encourages independent thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning. It also promotes problem-solving and critical thinking through interactive activities.

Media also enhances social and emotional learning by connecting students across countries and cultures through virtual exchange programs, online discussions, and collaborative projects. It helps build communication skills, technological literacy, and global awareness. However, excessive media use can create distractions, reduce concentration, and lead to misinformation if not monitored. Digital divide—lack of access to technology—can also create inequalities. Despite these challenges, media remains a powerful educational tool that enhances knowledge acquisition, improves motivation, and prepares learners for a technologically advanced world. When used responsibly, media helps students develop both academic and real-life skills, making education more dynamic, innovative, and inclusive.

Q6. Explain the psychological effects of social media on self-esteem, identity formation and interpersonal relationships.

Social media has become an integral part of modern life, shaping how individuals view themselves and interact with others. One major psychological effect is on self-esteem, as people constantly compare their lives with curated and idealised images posted by others. The pressure to present a “perfect self” online encourages individuals to modify their appearance, behaviour, or lifestyle, resulting in self-doubt, insecurity, and body dissatisfaction. This comparison cycle triggers FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), reducing self-worth and increasing anxiety. Social media also affects identity formation, particularly among youth, who rely on online feedback—likes, comments, followers—to validate their identity. They may construct multiple identities or exaggerated versions of themselves, leading to confusion between real and virtual identity. Continuous exposure to unrealistic standards influences personal aspirations and self-image, causing emotional strain and dependency on digital approval for self-confidence.

Social media affects interpersonal relationships by reshaping communication patterns. While it enables global connectivity and helps maintain long-distance bonds, it often weakens face-to-face communication skills and emotional closeness. Online interactions lack non-verbal cues—tone, facial expressions, gestures—which are essential for empathy and deep understanding. As a result, misunderstandings and superficial relationships become common. Excessive time on social media reduces quality family time, increases loneliness, and encourages parasocial relationships with influencers or celebrities. Moreover, social media conflicts—unfriending, online arguments, jealousy triggered by posts—affect relationship stability. Thus, social media creates a complex psychological environment that influences self-image, identity, communication, and emotional well-being in profound ways.

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Q7. Discuss the impact of violent media content (movies, games, news) on aggression and social behaviour.

Violent media content, including action films, crime shows, violent video games, and sensational news, has significant psychological effects on aggression and social behaviour. Repeated exposure to violence can lead to desensitisation, meaning individuals become less sensitive to real-life aggression and suffering. This reduces empathy and increases tolerance for violent behaviour. Violent media acts as a learning tool, where individuals—especially children—observe and imitate aggressive actions, as explained by Bandura’s Social Learning Theory. The more realistic and graphic the violence, the stronger its impact. Video games, which involve active participation, reinforce aggressive scripts by rewarding violent responses, thereby shaping behavioural patterns. Violent news reporting also heightens fear and mistrust, creating a perception that society is more dangerous than it actually is—known as the “Mean World Syndrome.”

Violent media also influences social behaviour by normalising aggression and presenting it as an acceptable problem-solving method. Characters in films or games often face no consequences for violent actions, giving audiences the impression that aggression is justified or heroic. This distorts moral judgment and increases impulsivity. Frequent exposure to violent images can also increase physiological arousal—elevated heart rate, adrenaline—which may translate into aggressive behaviour offline. Although not everyone becomes violent, individuals with high stress, weak emotional control, or negative family environments are more vulnerable. Overall, violent media shapes perceptions of danger, reduces empathy, reinforces aggressive thinking patterns, and influences how individuals behave in real-world social contexts.

Q8. Describe media literacy. Why is media literacy important in the digital age?

Media literacy is the ability to access, analyse, evaluate, create, and respond to media messages in an informed and critical manner. It enables individuals to understand the intentions behind media content, identify biases, interpret symbolism, and recognise persuasion techniques. Media literacy teaches people that media is not neutral; it often reflects the interests of producers, corporations, political groups, or advertisers. It helps audiences differentiate between facts, opinions, misinformation, and propaganda. Media-literate individuals understand how framing, selective presentation of information, stereotypes, and emotional manipulation shape public perception.

In the digital age, media literacy is essential because people are constantly exposed to vast amounts of information through social media, websites, streaming platforms, and digital news. Fake news, deepfakes, clickbait, targeted advertising, and algorithm-based content can mislead users and influence emotions, decisions, and beliefs. Without media literacy, individuals are vulnerable to online scams, political manipulation, cyberbullying, and unhealthy social comparison. Media literacy empowers people to use technology responsibly, maintain digital well-being, and protect their privacy. It also fosters creativity, critical thinking, civic awareness, and healthy communication. Thus, media literacy is a vital skill for navigating today’s information-rich world and avoiding psychological harm.

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Q9. Explain the concept of media addiction. Discuss its psychological symptoms and effects on daily functioning.

Media addiction refers to excessive and uncontrolled use of digital platforms—such as social media, smartphones, gaming, online streaming—that interferes with daily life, responsibilities, and mental health. This addiction activates the brain’s reward circuitry, releasing dopamine whenever users receive notifications, likes, or achieve gaming rewards. Over time, people feel compelled to check their phones repeatedly, leading to compulsive behaviour. Psychological symptoms include anxiety when away from the device, loss of interest in offline activities, irritability, inability to concentrate, and disturbed sleep patterns. Individuals become mentally preoccupied with online activity and experience withdrawal-like symptoms when they try to cut down usage.

Media addiction affects daily functioning by reducing productivity, impairing academic or work performance, and damaging relationships. Excessive screen time disturbs sleep cycles, causes fatigue, and reduces motivation to engage in physical activity or social interaction. It also increases loneliness, depression, and emotional instability. Media addiction interferes with memory, attention span, and decision-making ability due to continuous multitasking and constant distractions. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable, as their identity formation becomes tied to online approval. Over time, individuals may withdraw from real-life responsibilities and prefer virtual environments. Therefore, media addiction has severe consequences on mental health, social life, and personal well-being, making it crucial to practice digital discipline and balanced media use.

Q10. Discuss the positive impact of media on society, culture, learning, and social change.

Media has a powerful positive impact on society by promoting awareness, education, cultural representation, and democratic values. News media informs the public about events, issues, and policies, enabling citizens to make informed decisions. Social media amplifies voices, encourages public participation, and supports social movements such as environmental protection, gender equality, and human rights. Entertainment media—films, music, documentaries—promote cultural exchange, empathy, and global understanding by showcasing diverse traditions, stories, and experiences. Media also strengthens communities by connecting people across distances and enabling them to share ideas, emotions, and support during crises.

Media has also transformed learning and social development. Digital platforms make knowledge widely accessible through online courses, educational apps, and virtual classrooms. Visual and interactive content enhances motivation, comprehension, and skill development. Media promotes innovative thinking and creativity by providing tools for content creation—videos, podcasts, graphics. It supports social change by challenging stereotypes, exposing injustices, and inspiring collective action. Campaigns on health, hygiene, gender equality, and child rights have significantly improved social behaviour and awareness. When used responsibly, media becomes a force for empowerment, inclusion, and progress, promoting a well-informed, connected, and culturally rich society.

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