"The Nasty Effect"

The "Nasty Effect" is an actual scientific term! What is this strange phenomenon currently being investigated by social scientists? Basically it is how...

"incivility on the Internet can have negative influences on individuals. If reading online incivility can incite negative feelings of hatred, negative attitudes towards a topic, and a reduction of source credibility, it is likely that it may also incite negative risk perceptions..." 

This phenomenon has influenced many internet news sites to shut of the comment section of their websites completely, without notice. Only one, Popular Science, explained why they were turning off their comments.

Popular Science explains why no comments!

The New York Times also ran a piece explaining the 'Nasty Effect."

NYT: This Story Stinks

And if you want to read the research article on the 'Nasty Effect'

Full length version of the "Nasty Effect"

Anderson, A. A., Brossard, D., Scheufele, D. A., Xenos, M. A. and Ladwig, P. (2013), The “Nasty Effect:” Online Incivility and Risk Perceptions of Emerging Technologies. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. doi: 10.1111/jcc4.12009

1. Paper forthcoming in Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication

Even Cracked.com discusses this behavior in David Wong's article, 5 Changing Perspectives That Show You Are Becoming An Adult

Specifically look under #3. You Stop Following Through on the Desire to Break Shit

Read more: http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-changing-perspectives-that-show-youve-become-adult/#ixzz2hMnKdPnk

The more polarizing and devastating commentary lately in the news and online really has me depressed right now. Trying my hardest to stay positive and live with gratitude.

Breaking Bad

Last week my social psychology classes were going over persuasion. Which was pretty funny as I was also watching the entire Breaking Bad series as a marathon with my husband. Awesome series btw ;) Since "everyone" has been talking about it the last few weeks my Honeybunny and I have been avoiding any news about it lest the series finale be spoiled for us. I did happen to read an NPR post discussing how use of the Kuleshov Effect was purposefully and liberally used throughout the series to make the audience continue to care about Walter White, even throughout his slippery sloping slide from fairly normal person to a truly despicable human being.

We've finally watched the entire season! The finale did not disappoint! Not going to discuss the ending in case anyone is doing the same thing we did and haven't reached the end yet :)

I do wonder if my students have picked up on any of the other ways that the powers that be at Breaking Bad continued to make us care about Mr. White, there are many, not just the use of the Kuleshov Effect. I do think our culture of violence and individualism over collectivism also might contribute to this Breaking Bad phenomenon.

The following is the link to the NPR article, Point of View: How So Many Rooted For Breaking Bad's Walter White
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/09/27/224437071/point-of-view-how-so-many-rooted-for-breaking-bads-walter-white?utm_content=socialflow&utm_campaign=nprfacebook&utm_source=npr&utm_medium=facebook

The Kuleshov Effect: