chapter 1, 2, 3 Flashcards
socializing
learning process that teaches values, norms and how things work in society
socialization
the process whereby we learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of our culture and, in so doing, develop a sense of self
social construction of reality
the process of shaping reality through social interaction.
agency
any recurring pattern of social behaviour; a term that describes independent actions, autonomous decisions and creativity
structure
intentional and undetermined human action
digitisation
transformation of an analog signal to a digital signal, so it can be read by a computer
technological determinism
technology itself causes social change in ways that are unintentional or unnoticed
materiality
argue that the physical aspects of media technology matter but not in a simplistic way
autonomous technology
general label for all conceptions and observations to the effect that technology is somehow out of control by human agency (Winner)
technological momentum
a technology’s influence changes over time. new technology is controlled by human agency, but established technology is hard to change (Hughes)
medium theory
focus on technological aspects of media, beyond content
Toronto School
the way media itself extends our senses and alter our social world; it is not the content, but the experience of the medium itself (Innis, McLuhan)
Postman
rise of television is the central cause of decline in seriousness of public life
Postman’s critics on tv
irrelevance (far), powerlessness (no relation to action), sacrificing historical context (no connection between stories)
Pseudo-events
events planned for the express purpose of producing images that can be reported
hyperreality
blurring boundaries between the image and reality
social constructionism
emphasizes the social construction of technology, focusing on the role of human agents determining the role of technology
domestication theory
ordinary users bring society into their lives and use it in their own way, giving social meaning to it over time
internet
vast network of interconnected computer networks whose underlying technology was developed over a half century
convergence
the blurring of boundaries among types of media
production perspective
emphasizes the media production process rather than specific media products
modern media companies provide:
- products, 2. platforms, 3. pipes
Organic activity
content generated by the viewing audience
media consolidation
concentration of media in fewer hands