A bibliometric map of research in media psychology

Abstract

More than 25 years ago, Luskin etal. (1998) wrote that the time of media psychology had arrived. However, it has not happened yet, or has unfolded differently from what was expected. Our bibliometric study of up-to-date media psychology provides a comprehensive overview of the field’s development and structure. We trace the evolution of the research from its beginning until 2023. We outline the most prevalent research categories and thematic groupings in media psychology, and how they are connected. Dynamic changes in research themes and the emergence of new clusters reflect the field’s responsiveness to ongoing technological advancements and societal shifts. Meanwhile, the field maintains certain key elements constant over time, such as classic studies on the effects of media content and use on individuals, with specific attention to minorities or weak communities affected by potentially threatening stimuli in diverse settings. Basic psychological processes (e.g. motivation, attention, memory, perception, emotions) play a critical role in media psychology research and have often been studied independently using various methodological tools. Looking ahead, the field should define research programs that enable different categories to work together more cohesively.