San Francisco, California, July 4, 2012 -- Entertainment Psychology is a multi-faceted domain that extends into numerous areas relevant to contemporary life and the field of psychology including ego strength, behavioral development, memory and cognitive functioning, emotion regulation, personality and psychosocial development as well as traditional psychotherapy. Practitioners, researchers and students interested in Entertainment Psychology and Entertainment Therapy as legitimate disciplines will be served by the division.
The awareness of Entertainment psychology`s relevance is growing, as recently evidenced by Thalia R. Goldstien`s (2009) research, which indicated that acting training fosters strength in reading others` mental states, feeling others` feelings and regulating one`s own emotions in an adaptive manner. Goldstien (2009) stated that "We are all actors to some extent, trying out different roles as we interact with others" (p. 6). Similarly, Helga Noice and Tony Noice`s (2006) study of actors has produced results relevant to text comprehension, memory and cognitive aging. Developing theory, research and evidence-based interventions in this dynamic area will be a rich addition to the science and profession of psychology.
An Entertainment Psychologist will develop expertise in helping all who may be impacted by the effects of the entertainment industry such as people with symptoms of cognitive and memory challenges and/or emotion regulation. Additionally, an Entertainment Psychologist may specialize in working with entertainers to help them identify challenges, work through afflictions, transition from and/or cope with roles and personas, manage pressures of idolization and condemnation from the public, help achieve child-developmental stages, set goals, facilitate the shift from stardom to mediocrity should their careers diminish as well as help improve overall performance and focus.
Establishment of an Entertainment Psychology Division is congruent with the APA`s history of demonstrating leadership by addressing important emerging issues and is in alignment with the guiding principles of the American Psychological Association. Not only will the new division support and help entertainers it will also allow for achievement of a deeper understanding of human behavior.
Contact:
Rosemary "Mimi` Marie Amaral [PsyD Student, Founder of Entertainment Psychology] Founder Email: ciis.mimi@gmail.com
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