individual functions of mass media

Question 1

1.guides our behavior

Answer 1

what movies to see; who to vote for; what to buy and for what price; how to behave (through characters)

Question 2

2. guides our understanding

Answer 2

how to come to think about the world; gives us a certain grasp of the world
ex/ what does it mean to be a man/woman?
-read editorial - help guide political interpretation

Question 3

mean world syndrome

Answer 3

concerned with violence in media; the more TV a person watches, the more they believe the world is mean and scary filled with bad people

Question 4

develop self-concept

Answer 4

develop a sense of you, who you want to be

• identification with people in media can be important; depictions of people like us - how do they act or are acted upon?
• role models

Question 5

professional tool

Answer 5

help with jobs; use for reports, form networks, etc.

ex/ teacher gets news clippings to discuss in class

Question 6

facilitate social interactions

Answer 6

give us things to talk about (news items, TV shows); connect with people online; social networking sites

Question 7

substitute for social interaction

Answer 7

vicarious companionship, especially for people who have trouble forming social relationships
ex/ watching “Friends” in romm by yourself but the characters are “your friends” and are there with you

Question 8

emotional release

Answer 8

very good at helping us change emotions

-can help relax, deal with boredom

Question 9

ritualize /order our lives

Answer 9

gives structure and sense of security

ex/ waking up to clock radio