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Brian Lamb School of Communication

Brian Lamb School of Communication

Purdue Research in Media Effects

(PRIME) Lab

Media + Psych

People

Research

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Overview

Research in media effects and media psychology examines how people interact with and are impacted by the media content they consume. Researchers have long investigated this area, but the rapidity with which media has evolved in the 21st century requires renewed and refocused attention on questions of how and why people consume media and of how they are impacted by their media use.

The Brian Lamb School of Communication has historic and current strengths in media effects research. To capitalize on these strengths, the Purdue Research in Media Effects (PRIME) Lab coalesces key faculty researchers who study media processes and effects. The PRIME Lab also serves as a home for graduate and undergraduate student researchers interested in media psychology. The PRIME Lab examines topics including how news and entertainment media impact political participation, how livestreaming culture builds community and psychosocial support for constituent members, how video games influence players’ lives, and how people cognitively process media content and make decisions about their media use.

The PRIME Lab was founded by and is led by Dr. Brett Sherrick and Dr. Jennifer Hoewe.