mass media key terms Flashcards
What are the mass media?
Content transmitted and recieved by audiences
Definition by McCullagh
What is the global village concept?
The idea that the internet has made the world a smaller place
Proposed by McLuhan
What does representation in media refer to?
How groups are portrayed in the media, often influenced by stereotypes
Define stereotypes.
Widely held but fixed and oversimplified images or ideas of a particular type of person or thing
What is symbolic annihilation?
The concept explaining how women are not shown as much as men in the media, particularly in dominant roles
Developed by Tuchman
What does the male gaze concept explain?
How women’s image is created to satisfy male ‘needs’
Introduced by Mulvey
What is masculinity?
Male identity
Define metrosexual.
urban areas and enjoy shopping, fashion, and similar interests - associated with women or gay men
What characterizes the ‘new man’?
Able to express emotions, takes interest in personal grooming and fashion, and undertakes new roles within the home and family
What is malestream?
The situation when male social scientists carry out research focused on a masculine perspective and assume findings apply to women as well
Developed by feminist theorists
What does cosmeticisation refer to?
Encouragement for women to improve their appearance, particularly as they age
What is the grey pound concept?
The idea that older people have money to spend, leading to more positive images of aging
Introduced by Carrigan
Define ethnic majority.
The ethnic group with numerical dominance within the total population
Define ethnic minority.
All ethnic groups other than the one with numerical dominance within the total population
What is neo Marxism?
The idea that capitalism influences in an unconscious way, becoming the common-sense view
What is the common sense view?
When the views of the ruling class become the view shared by the majority
What is pluralism in media?
View media as offering a window into the world rather than an unrealistic portrayal
What is the Fourth Estate?
The media as the fourth estate in the UK, providing a checking service on the government, courts, and church
What are media effects?
Theories on the ways individuals are influenced by mass media
What are direct effects in media theory?
Theories that believe people are ‘blank slates’ who blindly accept media messages
What are indirect effects in media theory?
Theories that accept media influences individuals but acknowledge other affecting factors
What is the active audience theory?
People choose what to take from the media
What is deviance amplification?
The view that levels of deviance or crime can be increased by societal reaction to deviance itself
Proposed by Wilkins
What are moral panics?
When the public become overly concerned about an issue due to media reporting
Define folk devil.
A person or group portrayed in folklore or media as outsiders and deviant, often blamed for social problems
