mass media
functions of the mass media
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
functions of the mass media: societal functions
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
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
functions of the mass media: societal functions: 6. services the economy
functions of the mass media: individual functions
functions of the mass media: individual functions: 1. guide our behavior
functions of the mass media: individual functions: 2. guide our understandings
functions of the mass media: individual functions: 3. develop our self concept
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
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