Discuss the influence of the media and indicate what this says about us as individuals and society collectively.
Discuss the influence of the media and indicate what this says about us as individuals and society collectively. Bessant and Watts noted Marxist and feminist writers claiming the mass media conceals inequality and exploitation (2002, p.392). Media broadcasters are private companies after all and they often share similar views with other businesses. Consequently the related reports may be distorted or lack the opposite view which lowers the credibility of the articles. Furthermore advertisements and other media messages have been intentionally shaped to send a very specific message. As Bessant and Watts (2002) postulated, "The interests of owners and managers (of media companies) seems to have some influence in the reporting of those elements of the 'news' that directly involve business interests" (p.393). As such the actual intentions of these owners and managers directly affect the form of influences such media will cause. On the contrary Bessant and Watts (2002) stated that "...the modern mass media enhances people's access to great works of art" (p.392). For individuals and the society media provides the opportunity to observe famous art/literature/sites indirectly but with less cost. For example people around the world may appreciate natural wonders from reading the National Geographic magazine. In the modern society individuals interact with media on a multiple basis
Case Study (Tom Cruise)
He is one of the worlds richest and most famous actors, but after many crazy publicity stunts, and his crazed obsession with the religious cult Scientology, he is one of the worlds biggest jokes. He no longer has the huge fan base he used to have, but his personal life is looking up with the birth of his daughter Suri, and his long-awaited wedding to Katie Holmes only weeks away. Yet still the media cannot stop stirring and printing suspicious stories, the latest one is that the long-awaited pictures of Suri, is because of a large birth-mark on her face, which also furthered suspicion that the photos were airbrushed. Can Tom Cruise do anything right anymore? The Rise of Tom Cruise Tom Cruise was born into a middle class family, his parents got divorced when he was very young. He went to live with an Aunt whilst his mother set up home for his brothers and sisters and him. Soon after moving in with his aunt, his mother had met someone and they had set up home together. His mother got married when Tom was slightly older and his family moved again. After a quick stint at a church school wanting to become a Monk, Tom went to New York and started out on broadway. He then went on to appear in such films as Mission Impossible. He was married to Nicole Kidman for 12 years and they adopted two children, then there marriage ended abruptly and shocked half the world. He had
Assess the Functionalist Theory of Culture essay
Using item A, assess the functionalist theory of culture (25 marks) Item A According to functionalist sociologists, everything in society performs a function. This is also the case for culture. In the view of functionalists such as Durkheim, the key features of society is that it is orderly and harmonious – despite the fact that different individuals may have competing or conflicting interests, they are still able to live together and cooperate with one another. Durkheim argues that this is because of the existence of a shared culture or values consensus. This shared culture binds us together by giving them a sense of belonging and a set of common goals, which they can achieve through cooperation. This helps to safeguard individuals and society conflict. Functionalists believe that everything in society has a function and that everything has to work together in order to make society harmonious. Other theorists such as Marxists have different views on culture. I will be exploring whether the functionalist theory is what actually happens in society or if other theories, like Marxism, are more closely related. Durkheim believed that the key features of society is orderly and harmonious. He argues that this is because of shared culture showing that he believed that everything with in society does in fact have a purpose and when together is orderly. Another belief of
What effects could media coverage have on female participation rates?
What effects could media coverage have on female participation rates? Throughout the world, women have been denied media coverage in sport. The media continues to promote the observation of male authority in sport. This is possibly due to a number of factors. One factor why media coverage has an affect on female participation rates is because as in many other occupations, women's professional sports do not enjoy the same sponsorship deals, prize money, pay, and, media coverage as men's sport. Because of this, there is more fan attendance in male sport. The media are primary agents of socialisation and are the source of information young people obtain about their world. Therefore, the media should use its power to influence girls and women in sport. Media is exerting an increasing influence on children's development. This is especially important when it comes to gender stereotypes and the social perceptions of how girls and boys should dress, talk and behave. Another factor why media coverage could have an affect on female participation rates is sexism. We can tell this because the sport sections in a variety of newspapers were looked through and there was hardly anything on female sport-only a few articles. (The only pictures of women in the papers were nothing to do with sport. When the female athlete is portrayed, her gender role rather than her athletic abilities are
Is V a terrorist or a Revolutionary?
Is V a terrorist or a revolutionary? What is the difference? Compare him and his actions to a historical revolutionary. V is argued to be a revolutionary or a terrorist by the viewer. Throughout the movie, one would argue as to what V is, and the audience would come up with multiple conclusions about the mysterious hero/villain. Is V oppressing his political thoughts on others like a terrorist or is he simply the only person who dares to go against the government and risk his life for the freedom of the people? How does V relate to the historical revolutionary Guy Fawkes, in which V was trying to portray with his mask in the first place? The definition of a terrorist/terrorism is politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, according to the U.S Law. People who argue that V is a terrorist would say that V fits that criteria and that he is indeed inflicting terror and violence against civilians. V blew up populated buildings and killed many civilians, including innocent policemen. V also believes his political views are correct and his opinion is the only way to see things, he murdered and tortured a multiple of individuals and brutally attempts to instill his views in people's minds. This is all evidence that proves V is indeed a terrorist. This is only one way to view V's action throughout the movie.
They live- John Carpenter
They live- John Carpenter John Nada is a man without job who walks around a big American city trying to find something to do. He finally finds a job as a worker and a place to spend the nights, but one-day John discovers a pair of sunglasses through which he can see the true face of people. Many persons in this city are in fact aliens and most of them are important members of our society. They keep humans in ignorance and they rule our world as they like. In terms of media theory, I think these people represent the traditional Marxists in the fact that they directly manipulate people by bombarding them with media and government messages like "Stay Asleep", "No Imagination", "Submit to Authority". Through the glasses he can see normal looking people who are in fact ugly aliens in charge of the massive campaign to keep humans subdued, I think representing the hegemonic Marxists as they are there to subconsciously manipulate the masses. The aim of the ruling aliens is to keep humans in a state of mindless consumerism with Billboards, store signs, magazine covers--all bearing subliminal messages to obey and consume. The twist of it is, that most of the population are unknowingly contributing to its downfall which suggests the effect of the hypodermic syringe model, whereby these messages are injected into a passive and weak audience with an immediate effect from the 'magic
In resent years in education, family life and in the work place, society has become much less sexist. Are these changes in society shown in todays media?
In resent years in education, family life and in the work place, society has become much less sexist. Are these changes in society shown in today's media? Sociological research in the media has shown that gender stereotypes and sexist images still continue to be shown regularly in today's media. In films and television programs research has shown that women are shown in a more narrow range of carers and roles in their lives. Where as men are shown in a variety of carers, women are more likely to be shown as the 'house wife' Another stereotypical role for women involves 'romance' and 'sex'. (Tuchman, 1978). When women are seen in an important carer they still are not as well paid or well looked after as a man in the exact same carer. Ferguson's content analysis of women's magazines (1970s, 1980s) showed that a 'cult of femininity' existed, with women's lives being successful in marriage and looking good. The focuses of makeup, fashion, relationships and appearance is still high even though there has been change from this research from teenage girl magazine such as Cosmo Girl and women's magazines such as Take a break. Women also has to take care of their physical appearance to get a good carer like TV presenting or a main role in a film etc. In films, TV, magazines and adverts young women usually appear due to their looks and beauty, providing 'erotic pleasure' for the
Different Types of Culture
Different types of culture High Culture - is linked with the elite, upper class society, those families and individuals with an ascribed status position. It is often associated with the arts such as opera, ballet and classical music, sports such as polo and lacrosse, and leisure pursuits such as hunting and shooting. Clearly, high culture is associated with a small elite in society, who, it is argued, operate a system of social closure - not allowing entry to 'outsiders' - thus ensuring that high culture maintains its elite and exclusive position. Figure 2: Ballet (elite) Cultural Diversity - is a concept relating to culturally embedded differences within society, it's the fact that different cultures exist alongside each other E.g. lesbians, chavs etc. Thereby it is any group that has something in common. Subculture - is culture enjoyed by a small group within society. In this sense it is a minority part of majority culture. They have distinct norms and values which make them sub-section of society. Examples of subcultures in the UK include youth groups such as emos and skaters, or religious groups such as the Scientologists (New Age Traveller Groups). Figure 3: Scientology symbol Figure 4: Youth subculture (female with emo characteristics features) Popular Culture - is suggested that it borrows the idea from high culture and