Media and Culture

Question 1

What is cross cultural research?

Answer 1

• If behaviour is universal then we can propose that biology is responsible.
• If there are differences we can infer that culture/environment are responsible.

Question 2

Who conducted research into cultural differences?

Answer 2

Mead

Question 3

What was Mead’s study?

What did she find?

Answer 3

• Studied tribal groups on the island of New Guinea.
• Tchambuli - women were dominant and they organised village life.
• Suggests gender roles may be culturally determined.

Question 4

Who conducted research into cultural similarities?

Answer 4

Buss

Question 5

What was Buss’ study?

What did he find?

Answer 5

• Found consistent patterns in mate preference in 37 countries across all continents.
• In all culture women sought men who could offer wealth and resources.
• In all cultures men sought women who were youthful and physically attractive.

Question 6

State 3 criticisms of research into culture and gender roles.

Answer 6

Criticisms of Meads research:
- observer bias
Imposed etic
Nature vs nurture

Question 7

Explain the role of media in gender roles.

Answer 7

• Provides role models with whom children identify with and want to imitate.

Question 8

How does media create rigged stereotypes?

Answer 8

• The media may play a role in reinforcing stereotypes concerning male and female behaviour.
• Male = ambitious, independent
• Female = unambitious, dependent

Question 9

How does media give information?

Answer 9

• Children who have more exposure to popular forms of media tend to display more gender stereotypes.

Question 10

State 2 criticisms of media and gender roles.

Answer 10

Correlation not causation:
- hard to find comparison control group of children who haven’t had regularly media exposure
Counter-sterotypes:
- disney movie brave
- challenged traditional notions of masculinity and femininity