Television is often characterized and criticized as low culture. Do you think this is a fair assessment? Is it fair to disregard the cultural importance of television because much of it appeals to our base needs? Why or why not?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Ideal answers should touch on some of the following ideas: •Television today includes more narrative complexity than it did in the past, so not all television represents low culture. •Even low-culture programming may serve a purpose-uses and gratifications perspective suggests that we seek out programming that meets our needs. •Even if we don't appreciate the content, we must acknowledge the power of the message because it models behavior for us (social cognitive theory) and may influence our perceptions of the world (cultivation theory). •Media set the agenda for public conversations, which further suggests that television content (whether high or low culture) warrants analysis.

Television Is Often Characterized and Criticized as Low Culture