Exam 1 Definitions Flashcards
Pragmatism
assesses truth in terms of effect, outcome and practicality; which choices will make the world better?
-considers and organizes multiple ideas according to their social uses
- truth should be based on the degree to which a concept or theory provides useful results in the process of solving problems - William James
Mass Media
Bend space and/or time to present the same message to a multitude of people
ie. Print; motion pictures & sound; broadcast (radio, television); New media (internet, digital technology)
Postmodernity
- shift from standardization to customization
- shift from manufacturing to information-based business;
Socialization
process by which people (collectively and individually) learn, adopt, internalize cultural beliefs, values, and norms of society
Historical Materialism
Material existence shapes consciousness. It dictates shape of society and human condition. Conditions change over time.
Profit Motive
Earn as much capital/money as possible
Conglomerate
corporations that acquire more companies through buyouts, takeovers, merger. ALL acquired companies may not be media oriented
Oligopoly
a state of limited competition, in which a market is shared by a small number of producers or sellers.
cultural imperialism
imposition of one set of cultural values on other cultures
-exporting cultural values and ideologies around the world (results of a conglomerate) which can deter local culture and national sovereignty
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Relativism
belief that diverse approaches and theories related to a given subject are all equally correct
Contingencies
factors a regulation should address based on context and situation
-ie. social norms of the time; predominant
Digital Rights Management (DRM)
any software program that media industries employ to control the distribution and use of digital intellectual property
-there is now a shift from purchase to access (ie. subscription to netflix, google play…)
Obscenity
Illegal, sexually explicit material that lacks literary, artistic, political. or scientific value
Semiology
- Saussure’s approach to the study of signs
- Science that studies role of signs as part of life; investigates the nature of signs and laws governing them
Iconic Signs
Sign that structurally resembles the object for which it stands
