Cognitive theory has been crucial in understanding how sensory information is structured and interpreted. Media, especially modern media, is a conglomeration of sensory stimuli. Movies are a set of images played together at a speed at which we perceive them to be in motion. This makes the study of cognition, the mental parts that help us attend, memorize, and perceive certain stimuli, central to developing an understanding of media.
Cognitive theory is a psychological theory that focuses on the mental processes involved in perception, thinking, learning, and problem-solving. It concerns how people process information, make decisions, and store and retrieve knowledge. Cognitive theories view the mind as an information-processing system and often use computational models to explain mental processes. Some key assumptions of the cognitive theory include that
The mind is active and constructive.
That it is organized and structured.
Moreover, it is influenced by experience.
Cognitive theories have influenced several fields, including psychology, education, and computer science. They have led to the developing of several important concepts and theories, such as cognitive load theory, cognitive dissonance theory, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
According to cognitive theories, people actively engage with media content, using their cognitive abilities to process and interpret the information they receive. For example, people may use their knowledge and prior experiences to make sense of the content of a television show or a news article, or they may use their critical thinking skills to evaluate the credibility of a source or the reliability of the information being presented. Some notable ways through which cognitive processes influence our interaction with media are−
Selective perception
Attention and memory
The idea of media literacy and cognitive biases
The various forms of media utilize our mental faculties to derive engagement. They understand what information we gravitate toward, attend to, and remember later, and design their content around it. Perception refers to interpreting and making sense of sensory information like sight, sound, and touch. In the context of media, perception involves interpreting the visual and auditory elements of a media message, such as the images and sounds on a television show or the layout and design of a website. Perception can be influenced by several factors, including the individual's prior knowledge and experiences and the context in which the media is consumed. There is also the use of visual elements, such as images or videos, which can influence perception as they can help convey the message or add emotional impact to the story.
Attention refers to the ability to focus on a particular task or stimulus. In the media context, attention involves focusing on and paying attention to a media message. Factors influencing attention include the individual's motivation, interests, and cognitive load (the amount of mental effort required). For example, if a person is highly interested in a topic, they may be more likely to pay attention to a media message related to that topic. We see these instances where news channels on the television display a bright red banner at the bottom of the screen, as red is a color that catches our attention the quickest.
Memory is the process of storing and recalling information. In the media context, memory plays a role in how people remember and recall information from media messages. Factors that can influence memory include the individual's prior knowledge and experiences and how the information is presented (e.g., through visual or auditory means). For example, people may be more likely to remember information that is presented clearly and concisely and that is reinforced through repetition. Long-standing phenomena such as primacy and recency effects are extensively used by the news media, where they load important information in the introduction of their program and at its conclusion, as people tend to forget the middle part of any sequence.
Media literacy is the ability to critically evaluate and analyze media messages, including the ability to identify the purpose, audience, and context of a message and to understand how different media forms and techniques can be used to influence viewers. Developing media literacy skills can help people become more informed and critical consumers of media, ultimately leading to more informed and critical decision-making in their daily lives.
One aspect of media literacy related to cognitive biases is recognizing and evaluating the biases that may be present in media messages. Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts or tendencies that influence how people perceive and interpret information. For example, people may have a bias toward information that confirms their preexisting beliefs or toward information that is presented in a more appealing or attention-grabbing way.
It is important to be aware of and evaluate these biases in media literacy to make more informed and critical decisions. This can involve evaluating the credibility and reliability of sources, considering multiple perspectives on a topic, and being open to considering new or conflicting information. By developing media literacy skills, people can become more aware of their own cognitive biases and work to overcome them to make more informed decisions.
Cognitive theory helps show how people process and make sense of media messages, and it can be useful for understanding how media affects people's attitudes, beliefs, and behavior. Understanding our information processing systems also helps us better grasp how those systems can be harnessed for conveying a piece of information effectively and efficiently.
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