Deck 17: D: Mass Media

Question 1

Discuss the recent research finding that the more time adolescents spend on the Internet,the less satisfied they are with their lives in terms of the symbolic interactionist view of the mass media,using specific examples.

Answer 1

Answers will vary,but should include knowledge of the following:
Symbolic interactionists believe that people do not internalize media images passively but,rather,are actively involved in a dynamic process that views media images and messages,reshapes them,and stores them when they reinforce cultural beliefs.In this way,media help to form identities by presenting images and situations that reinforce our cultural ideals of what makes people happy or successful.
One of the clearest examples of how media messages influence our views is seen in our definition of ideal body types.A great deal of sociological and psychological research has found a relationship between media depictions of the thin ideal and body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.In short,people compare their bodies to those they see in the media,a comparison that often leads them to be overly critical of how they look.With constant exposure to media images of what one is "supposed" to look like,many begin to define themselves by their perceived shortfalls rather than appreciating their own beauty and vitality

Question 2

The textbook argues that cellphones,with all their various functions,have become part of a user's "personal sphere of objects" and give "users the impression that they are constantly connected to the world outside,and therefore less alone." Develop an essay whereby you use your own cellphone usage to critically assess these statements;based on your own experiences,do you agree? Why or why not?

Answer 2

Answers will vary by student but should show students' ability to critically assess their own lives in terms of analyzing their own cellphone usage,and how it has affected their social interaction,whether for the better or for the worse.

Question 3

Outline the four primary areas in which functionalists argue that mass media contribute to society.Which one do you think is the most important in today's society,and why?

Answer 3

Students should discuss the socialization,surveillance,correlation,and entertainment functions of media.Socialization: Media's role in transmitting beliefs,values,and traditions from one generation to the next.Surveillance: Media's role in gathering and disseminating information to the population.Correlation: Media's role in filtering and making comprehensible the huge daily volume of news stories and issues.Entertainment: Media's role in helping people rest,relax,and escape the pressures of everyday life.

Question 4

Drawing on the new media research that is presented throughout the chapter,develop an essay in which you formulate your own media-related communication practices from the sociological perspective (including,if applicable,your use of social networking sites,text messaging,etc. ).

Question 5

Consider the future of mass media in contemporary society.How do you think it will affect social life? Use examples to support your answer.

Question 6

Critically examine the mainstream news media's reportage of a political protest or action,drawing on the theories of Parenti,Chomsky,and Herman.

Question 7

The popularity of social media sites,such as YouTube and Facebook,is constantly growing,as are the number of blogs on the internet.Develop an essay wherein you provide reasons for the increasing popularity of such forms of communication among young people in today's society,with particular reference to why young people are so eager to share their lives on the Internet,often with people they don't even know.

Question 8

Research has shown that people actually have a physical reaction to the sound of their phone receiving a text (the brain releases pleasure-related chemicals)that does not occur when receiving a call or an email.Discuss why this is the case in the context of McLuhan's famous phrase "the medium is the message."

Question 9

Discuss mass media today.In your discussion,be sure that you mention major Internet,satellite television,cellphone,and text messaging trends.How have these new forms of mass media altered societal relations?