Monotonous routine and the role of Media
In a day to day life media acts as an influential tool to divert its audience from monotonous routine. Media influence on audience is rapidly increasing due to social pressures. Its changes the attitudes, perspectives, behaviors and thinking of individual, thus these changes in personality of any individual is due to media dependence as well as involvement of media in the life of individuals.
The American poet Jim Morrison said
“Whoever controls the media controls the mind.”
Media–technology related behaviors play a vital role in this respect as it has direct impact on human psychology. Media influence and its impact changes from person to person according to the surroundings. Use of media by the individuals depends upon their satisfaction level and needs. In the beginning the influence of media on the life of audience is not considerable due to very less technological development but with ongoing rapid advancement in the field of media; results in media interference in the life of individual that affects directly the mindsets, gestures, personalities and general perspectives.
Psychological Stress and Diversion
According to recent research by Pew research center, psychological stress and mood fluctuation directly affects individual behavior. Environmental, Organizational or Personal factors usually cause stress and hypertension. Digital Media advancement and Social pressures are some reasons behind distress in individuals nowadays. Stress level differs from person to person due to difference in perception and personalities. Physiological, psychological and behavioral abnormality is due to environmental and social pressure as well as stress.
In digital world, there are more possibilities for an individual to distract and divert oneself from the dull and tedious routine of life. The Media advancement provides opportunities to individuals to get an approach towards their interest area. Even in this digital age the people are still unaware of their own life events as they are totally indulge in various media activities for personal interest and leisure. Media-related sources whether it is Digital, Print, Electronic, or most importantly Social media all are use are the basic way of distraction for the general audience. Individuals have their own personal reasons to use media-related sources to divert themselves from psychological stress and social pressures.
Media as a source of distraction and diversion
People are nowadays dependent on media to intentionally distract and interrupt themselves for the prior cause of satisfaction to get escape from daily routine and problems.
According to researches the basic types of diversions include:
Media Stimulation engages and boosts oneself in interesting and intellectual activities on various platforms of media in order to recharge mind and body. Stimulation results in such recreational activities that refresh the person and divert ones attention towards thought-provoking activities. Media stimulation helps the audience to pass their time on media by watching, reading or listening several of its content regarding personal interest. It also helps to engage attention of the audience in various amusing ways.
Relaxation through media sources is common in audience to divert themselves from problems, and difficult situation. Relaxation provides relieve to the strong hormonal activities to lessen the sensory burden. Media content can help to gives relaxation to the audience and to make them comfortable by relaxing their hormones. Relaxation by watching, listening or hearing any sort of media content can be consider as a positive distraction for person who wants relief to get satisfaction. The media content that can provide relaxation differs from person to person according to psychological abilities and strength.
When individuals exposed to any media content, by listening, viewing or reading it; they naturally involve with it through certain specific up-built emotions within. Emotional release through media content creates an association with audience through emotions. Exposing to any media-related source individuals develop some emotions that can provide relaxation to them. Media content has the tendency to stimulate emotions within a person. “Catharsis” is a release of emotions to get relief from psychological pressures. In media various techniques are used to provoke human emotions including happiness, sorrow, anger etc.
Media dependence increases with the increase in social pressures. Audience considers media-related sources as their only source of gratification. Such behaviors results in lack of creativity in the individuals. According to Media Dependency Theory; the dependence on Media increase
In order to make the individual to overcome social pressures and leave media dependency one must have to work with basic understanding and knowledge about oneself and the world. Also must have strong social interaction with others to abolish communication gap. An individual must try to understand the basic values and norms of society which can help oneself in personality development.
