Exam 1 Flashcards
Singular/Plural: Medium and media
medium is singular. media is plural
Mass media
mode of delivery that is one to many; compared to interpersonal communication (like TV). internet complicates it because of social media
Culture
there is no singular definition. it is a way of life, a collection of meaning.
Socializing Agents
the people or groups that influence your socialization into structures and ideologies (like family, teachers, friends, etc)
Power
“…derivative of access to economic and cultural resources, social positions, and the ability to control language” (Carah and Louw p. 18)
Structure
force that limits the ideas we have about certain people, things, experiences etc. (macro relationships and social forces)
agency
“intentional and undetermined human action” (Croteau et al. p. 15). how we choose to live within a structure, a push/pull tension.
what do power, structure, and agency have in common?
they’re all about relationships
Ideology
“a system of meaning that helps people define and explain the world that makes value judgements about the world” (Croteau et al., p. 213). usually from the dominant social class
Hegemony
“….the creation and maintenance of the legitimacy of dominant and powerful groups… granted when dominated groups consent to domination by more powerful groups” (Carah & Louw p.23). how ideologies are internalized and a process of consent.
Hegemonic Discourse
how to believe, behave, and discuss within a particular structure. the “acceptable language.” Result of consent process and manifestations of the ideology.
Intersectionality
overlapping or intersecting social identities such as gender, sexuality, race, class, etc. Used to examine systems of oppression, domination, or discrimination
Stuart Hall
a cultural theorist that examined the concept of signification and (re)presentation in media; interested in how e vents sand experiences are given meaning
signification
the study of how media gives meaning to events and experiences
Hyperreality
blurring of lines between real and virtual
Hypermediation
state of existence in which media through newer technology is constant, everywhere, and inescapable. media becomes invisible.
Pseudo-Events
events planned for the express purpose of producing dramatic images that can be disseminated or reported
Habermas
German social theorist interested in the rationality of public and public discourse
Habermas’ Public Sphere
an area of public life separate from government and economy in which people exchange, discuss, and debate ideas.
Bourgeoisie Salons
“hosted” by women, participated by men
Materiality
the physical elements related to technology and media
Social Constructionism
people and social forces determine how technology will be used. emphasis on human agency in how technology impact society.
Technological Determinism
technology is the main driver of social change (ie., Marshall McLuhan and Neil Postman)
Technological Momentum
introduces time into the social constructionism and technological determinism continuum. more social oversight and control when tech is young, tech gains more agency as it becomes enmeshed in society
autonomous technology
technology outside the control of humans. technology that runs without much human interference after we set it up.
Marshall McLuhan catchphrase
“the medium is the message”
Neil Postman catchphrase
“entertaining ourselves to death”
3 relationships sociologists analyze for mass media/constraint
among institutions, within an institution, and between an institution and the public.
Social Construction of Reality
spiral of meaning making. reality is not given, it is created by socialization.
Socialization and Meaning-Making
how we learn and internalize values, beliefs, and or norms of our culture and develop a sense of self
Structure
“any recurring pattern of social behavior”-aka pressure
agency
“intentional and undetermined human action” -can reproduce and/or change social structure
where does power come from?
material power is resources and tactile things, but you can also have cultural power from knowledge about a culture
scholars associated with technological determinism
Marshall McLuhan and Neil Postman
Technological determinism
Materiality: resources, function, forms, and physical aspects
Social Constructionism
Social forces: cultural norms, economics, legal regulations, political impacts, belief systems
