2012 Member Award Winners

Division 46 represents psychologists active in the study of media psychology effects who bring leadership to media psychology and technology as a field of special value. The division awards presentations were held during the annual APA Annual Convention in Orlando.

Since this column reports on the media psychology effect, it is appropriate to recognize these important leaders and share some of their accomplishments with those of you who are interested in media psychology. Three awards were presented.

Philip Zimbardo, PhD

The 2012 winner of the Distinguished Lifetime Contribution to Media Psychology Award is Phil Zimbardo, a world-renowned spokesman teaching us how to apply psychology in our lives. Zimbardo’s extensive bibliography includes 50+ books and 400+ professional and popular articles and chapters. He is particularly noted for the clarity of his communication in explaining many complex subjects. Examples include persuasion, cults, madness, violence, vandalism, political psychology and evil. Of particular note is Dr. Zimbardo’s landmark well known Stanford Prison Experiment now being made into a film. The Stanford Prison Study was a precursor to the important work that he did as an expert involved in analyzing the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse situation as welll as the recent domestic terrorism incidents in Colorado and Wisconsin among others. He is known for his work in developing the theory entitled the “Lucifer Effect.”

Dr. Zimbardo also wrote, narrated and hosted a landmark ground-breaking public television series of 26 episodes titled, Discovering Psychology. His award winning series has repeatedly aired on PBS and internationally benefitting millions of students and the general public. Dr. Zimbardo now regularly leads Skype lectures to classes around the globe and recently in Lebanon and Russia. His TED talks have been viewed by millions. His animated lecture "The Secret Powers of Time" has been seen by more than two million people worldwide. In addition, he established PsychologyMatters.org for the public to document the ways in which psychological research, methods, and theories and effects have significant practical applications. A Division 46 fellow, Philip Zimbardo is past president of APA and a true icon in media psychology.

Elizabeth Carll, PhD

The 2012 winner of the Distinguished Professional Contribution to Media Psychololgy Award is Betsy Carll, a leader in the study of media effects for many years. Dr. Carll led the adoption of the APA resolution on Violence in Video Games and Interactive Media adopted by APA. She has repeatedly testified before the New York State Legislature, the U.S. Congress and regional legislative bodies on mental health and media issues. Dr. Carll provided leadership in establishing the Disaster/Crisis Response Network of the New York State Psychological Association. She has been recognized for her special efforts in representing media psychology and the APA with the United Nations.

Elizabeth Carll is a past president of Division 46, has written extensively, and is a frequent guest in the media. She is respected and admired by her peers and is an exemplary leader in the study of media psychology and social change. Her professional contributions have distinguished her as a singular leader in media psychology.

Dana Klisanin, PhD

The 2012 winner of the Early Career Applied/Research Contributions to Media Psychology is Dana Klisanin, founder of Evolutionary Guidance Media R&D, Inc., a research organization focused on exploring the social and psychological impact of new media and media effects on individuals and society. Dr. Klisanin is an advocate of “digital altruism,” exploring the idea that people conscientiously and repetitively engaging in this behavior are harbingers of a new form of heroism. She earned her psychology PhD in 2003 from Saybrook University in San Francisco, and has been identified by her Division 46 peers as having significant potential and a bright future.

Members of the division include general practitioners, clinicians, researchers, academicians, technology and communications experts, members of the media, writers, consultants and coaches. Members are active in telehealth, telemedicine, teletechnology, entertainment including video games, film, cinema and the Internet, public policy and public understanding of social issues and concerns, advertising, marketing, commerce, all levels of education, and all facets of globalization. It is commonly noted that much of the work in media psychology division is human centered and screen deep.

The APA is showing the way to the future by fostering understanding of global social needs and facilitating social change. The study of media effects is central to the mission of Division 46.

Congratulations to the 2012 award winners.