DR. PAM | MEDIA PSYCHOLOGIST
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DIGITAL BEHAVIORS
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DR. PAM | MEDIA PSYCHOLOGIST
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • About Dr. Pamela Rutledge
    • Media Psychology
      • What Is A Media Psychologist?
      • 8 Reasons Why We Need Media Psychology
      • Careers in Media Psychology
      • Example Careers in Media Psychology
      • Media Psychology at Fielding Graduate University
      • Positive Media Psychology
    • MPRC
      • Media Psychology Research Center
    • Media Psychology Review
  • Consulting
    • Speaking & Consulting
    • Audience Engagement: Why Use Personas?
      • How to Build a Persona
    • Adapting to Change
    • Transmedia Storytelling
      • Storytelling Across Platforms
      • Transmedia Storytelling Starts with the Power of Story
      • Our Transmedia World
      • Transmedia Case Study: The Three Little Pigs
      • Transmedia Storytelling Workshop
  • Story Power
    • Brand Storytelling
    • Storytelling: Brands, Entertainment & Organizations
      • Storytelling for Organizations
      • Core Story: Case Study
  • In the News
    • Press Quotes & Interviews 2022-2025
    • 2021-2019
    • 2018-2016
    • 2016-2017
    • 2015-2013
    • 2012 & EARLIER
    • Video Interviews & Webinars
  • Resources
    • Mindful Media & Digital Literacy
      • Positive Media Psychology
      • Benefits of Video Games Part 1
      • Benefits of Video Games Part 2
      • Benefits of Video Games Part 3
      • Becoming Mindful: Exercises
      • Mindful Media Journal
    • Academic Materials
      • Media Psychology Syllabus 2021
      • Media Psychology Syllabus 2012
      • Media Psychology Syllabus 2015
    • Articles
      • Persuasion & Augmented Reality
      • Psychology of Transmedia Engagement
      • Theories of Attention
      • The Psychology of Color
      • Website Design: How to Use Psych Theory
      • Data Strategy: Listen to Your Consumers’ Stories
      • The Psychology of Story
  • Archives
  • Contact

The Legacy of Daytime Talk Shows Lives in Your Feed

The talk shows never disappeared. Their conflict, confessions, and emotional manipulation became shareable spectacles on social media. Key Takeaways Talk shows turned emotional exposure into entertainment, but what was episodic... read more →
  • January 11, 2026
  • Pamela Rutledge
  • No Comments
Artwork for Dirty Talk

Daytime Talk Shows: Why We Couldn’t Look Away

The psychology behind the rise of 1990s daytime talk shows.  Back in July 2025, I had the privilege of talking with Steve Morrison, the director and executive producer of a... read more →
  • January 10, 2026
  • Pamela Rutledge
  • No Comments
Kids and Chatbots Parent Guide

Chatbots and Kids: What Parents Need to Know Now

Here's how to talk to your child about AI, starting in preschool. A free downloadable Parent Guide with tips and conversation starters is included. Chatbots are computer programs that use... read more →
  • June 27, 2025
  • Pamela Rutledge
  • No Comments
Just because kids can talk to chatbots doesn’t mean they understand how to distinguish what’s real emotion from algorithms and programming. Images: GOCMEN/Getty Images & People Images/Getty Images Signature.

Kids and Chatbots: When AI Feels Like A New Best Friend

Kids are forming emotional bonds with chatbots. With digital literacy and parental guidance, kids can use chatbots to support learning and creativity. Key Points Kids treat bots like people—even knowing... read more →
  • June 27, 2025
  • Pamela Rutledge
  • No Comments
Hooked on True Crime: Why We Can't Stop

Hooked on True Crime: Why We Can’t Stop

True crime media isn’t just a guilty pleasure—it can fulfill deep emotional and cognitive needs, especially for women. Key Points True crime media fulfills psychological needs like safety, mastery, and... read more →
  • May 14, 2025
  • Pamela Rutledge
  • No Comments
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FOR THE PRESS

Dr. Pam Rutledge, media psychologistDr. Pamela Rutledge is available to reporters for comments on the psychological and social impact of media and technology on individuals, society, organizations and brands.  pamelarutledge@gmail.com

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RECENT POSTS

  • The Legacy of Daytime Talk Shows Lives in Your Feed
  • Oprah's High Road: Diverging Paths in Daytime Talk Shows
  • Daytime Talk Shows: Why We Couldn’t Look Away
  • FAFO Parenting: Letting Kids Learn the Hard Way
  • Meta Is Using Your AI Chats to “Personalize Your Experience”

MEDIA PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH

The Media Psychology Research Center (MPRC) is an independent research organization directed by Dr. Pam Rutledge.  Read about MPRC at www.mprcenter.org.

CONSULTING PROJECTS

Dr. Rutledge consults on a variety of media projects using psychology to translate data into human behavior for powerful results.

  • Parenting in a Digital World webinar series
  • Persona Development for audience segmentation
  • Fan and Audience Engagement: Identifying audience narratives to satisfy needs
  • Brand Storytelling: Supercharging brand meaning

RECENT POSTS

  • The Legacy of Daytime Talk Shows Lives in Your Feed
  • Oprah's High Road: Diverging Paths in Daytime Talk Shows
  • Daytime Talk Shows: Why We Couldn’t Look Away
  • FAFO Parenting: Letting Kids Learn the Hard Way
  • Meta Is Using Your AI Chats to “Personalize Your Experience”

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Content copyright Pamela Rutledge 2026.