In a world where Saleem Alhabash feels critics often focus on the negative aspects of social and new media, he is gearing his research towards how these types of media can be beneficial to society.
Alhabash is an assistant professor with Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing and the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media.
His most recent research deals with persuasive video games and how perceptions are changed with role playing. Alhabash used a game, called PeaceMaker, which allowed players to act as a leader on either side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With this, Alhabash measured their attitudes and stereotypes towards the nations before and after the game, illustrating that playing a certain role could change perceptions.
Alhabash also believes it is important to understand not only how we are using media differently and how it is affecting us, but how it affects us on an individual level. He wants to study people's individual experiences with media and how psychological and personality differences affect the ways and patterns with which we use social and new media.
Alhabash said that he is enjoying his time at Michigan State University.
"I think this is one of the top places in the world to just be a thinker and a doer," said Alhabash. "And I am really honored and privileged to be here. This is a place where all of my dreams and idea about the world can be actually fulfilled and realized."
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