final Flashcards
(133 cards)
mass media
- the 20th century was the age of mass media-periforation of mass media, invention of a lot of mass media-esp. electronic
- film and recording industry started late 19th century-but came of age in 20th century
- stage that is still with us
- pervasive
- tv on 8 hrs/day in avg american household-avg american watches 5 hours a day
- most households have >1 TV set
- has played an increasingly central role in ppl’s lives
functions of the mass media
- for individuals and for society
- content functions vs medium functions
- manifest function vs. latent function
- societal functions
- individual functions
functions of the mass media: content functions vs medium functions
-some functions tied to the content of the medium (ex: vote guiding function of newspapers during election time), others tied to the general nature of a medium or the conditions of its use (ex: movies provide place for you to go with a date-content irrelevant)
functions of the mass media: manifest function vs latent function
- obvious, surface, intended functions vs. functions that are hidden, maybe even subconscious
- ex: listening to radio in car for news vs. listening as something to do with husband because relationship troubles, to prevent a fight
functions of the mass media: societal functions
- status conferral
- passing on norms, values, traditions
- narcotizing function
- services political system
- creates a sense of social cohesion/community
- services the economy
functions of the mass media: societal functions: 1. status conferral
-mass media legitimizes status on ideas, people, organizations (if something like global warming is discussed on CBS news, tells people it’s an important issue)
functions of the mass media: societal functions: 2. passing on norms, values, traditions
- the same values-so homogenous society-to everyone
- enforces them as well-especially by exposing deviations from these norms-what happens to people who deviate-crime, cheating
- what is right and wrong in our society-both fiction and nonfiction do this
- sometimes the mass media doles our the punishment itself-tabloids-embarasses manw ho left woman at alter adn went on honeymoon along by “Meet the Jerk” on over
- upholds status quo norms and values-if doesn’t, criticized
functions of the mass media: societal functions: 3. narcotizing function
-negative function-mass media creates a sense of apathy-flood of too much info-rots our brains, fills them with junk-much of mass media superficial, not important-makes us inert, passive
functions of the mass media: societal functions: 4. services political system
-leaders use mass media to put their message out to/communicate with the people-peoples’ choices in elections decided by watching/using mass media-internationally as well, leaders can communicate to other countries by using mass media
functions of the mass media: societal functions: 5. creates a sense of social cohesion/community
- news and even shows like MAS*H, American Idol-communal experience
- by providing us with a common base of knowledge, common interests, common concerns
- in particularly dramatic ways during crises-like 9/11
- TV connects us to other people, don’t want to be alone, scared, anxious-reassuring to know that have news to tell you what’s going on-with familiar faces of anchors-suggests someone in charge-sense of stability
- countertrends-more and more media outlets-variety-some people argue media pushing us apart rather than bringing us together-many more channels-also the internet-millions of sites-people concerned about this cuz people go to places (channels and sites) where they already agree with views-where they’ll hear what they want to hear
- but still brings us together-you may be the only person with an interest or hobby in your community, but through the internet can find people with that same interest or hobby-form online community
functions of the mass media: societal functions: 6. services the economy
- through the business page
- advertising-advertises and produces jobs in the process and supports the media
- e-commerce
functions of the mass media: individual functions
- guide our behavior
- guide our understandings
- develop our self concept
- professional tool
- facilitate social interaction
- substitute for social interaction
- aid in emotional release
- ritualize our lives
functions of the mass media: individual functions: 1. guide our behavior
- what movies we see, who to vote for
- a guide to life
- see how characters behave, build a store of knowledge on how you should behave
- ex: when I dressed like Blair
functions of the mass media: individual functions: 2. guide our understandings
- helps give us a grasp of what the world is like-helps define reality )and influences your behavior, so connected to #1)
- mean-world syndrome: the more TV someone watches, the more likely they are to believe that people will do you wrong, world is a mean and scary place-esp. violent TV-so leads to an understanding of what the world is like (and this can influence your behaviors-so don’t walk alone at night anymore)
- editorial function: helps guide our interpretations of politics
functions of the mass media: individual functions: 3. develop our self concept
- we use the mass media to explore reality, diff people
- some of these people we identify with (identification)-this can help us create concepts about who we are, where we fit into world-especially pay attention to people who are like us-in gender, race, age class
- role models-positive and negative-also important in gender and racial stereotypes-lack of role models for them in mass media
functions of the mass media: individual functions: 4. professional tool
-help you in your career-keep up with your field-can provide guidance, news-teachers get articles online to use in class-linkedin.com
functions of the mass media: individual functions: 5. facilitate social interaction
-gives us things to talk about with others-common ground for convo-TV shows-interact with people online, through their blog, later meet up in person-social networking sites, so social interaction online too, and can cause it to happen in person
functions of the mass media: individual functions: 6. substitute for social interaction
-providing you with vicarious companionship-for socially isolated or shy people-watch TV alone to entertain you, so you don’t feel alone-morning news shows especially effective at this-hosts sit on sofa, morning coffee, look out at you and say “good morning”-feel like you know these people
functions of the mass media: individual functions: 7. aid in emotional release
helps us move from 1 emotional state to another-we often use mass media to do this-very effective, especially music-anxious, use spotify music to help you relax, funny video to make you happy when sad, watch TV when bored
functions of the mass media: individual functions: 8. ritualize our lives
-order and organize and structure our lives-which gives us a sense of security-maybe read newspapers every morning, read book before bed-know what will be doing on those times-organize life around mass media-make sure home tuesday at 8 to watch PLL-changing now, media conforming to our schedules-online, record-but still happens-plan to watch shows you missed during week on sunday afternoon
Storage of Media Content
- most media content is stored
- only a small portion is distributed live without being stored first
- 5 important concepts on the nature and storage of media content
1. longevity
2. capacity
3. portability
4. accessibility
5. reproducibility - quality sacrificed for other things in digital media ((for space/storage/minimizing)
Storage of Media Content: 1. longevity
-how long will it last? cave paintings have lasted for thousands of years-but more recently longevity has been substituted for other factors, like portability or facility or accessibility or easy use-VCR home tape, tape
Storage of Media Content: 2. capacity
-how much can be stored? Books and print media can retain a lot more info than cave paintings-but decay much more quickly-can store even more content on floppy disk or CD or DVD or memory sticks or USBs- miniaturization of content has aided capacity, also aided portability
Storage of Media Content: 3. portability
-how easy is it to move the content around? things much more portable now