About Emotional Drivers in Media

I should be finishing up my marketing coursework, so naturally I’m doing something else. In my defense, studying Emotional Drivers in Media is technically relevant to marketing. Alas, it doesn’t get the rest of my assignments done. Here is an overview of what I learned.

I mapped out a framework for understanding the core human needs that media content targets, like belonging, fear, curiosity, and purpose. I also realized that the content I’m shown online isn’t random. It reflects what the algorithm thinks motivates me: a mix of curiosity, meaning, belonging, nostalgia, and a bit of pride. That got me thinking about how I can use those same drivers intentionally in my own work, both ethically and strategically.