societal functions of mass media

Question 1

status conferral

Answer 1

tells you what is important in the world; gives status
ex/ if you make Tome Magazine, you must be important
ex/ article on global warming - this is an important issue

Question 2

passing on and enforcement of norms, values, and tradition

Answer 2

fiction and nonfiction dues this; tells us what is right and wrong

• what it means to be an American - importance of voting
• enforce by focusing on those who don’t follow
• uphold status quo values; widely criticize if doesn’t
• tends to give the whole society the same norms, values, and traditions

Question 3

narcotizing

Answer 3

the extent to which the mass media acts as a narcotic; blunt or distort the senses; persuasive

• creates sense of apathetic
• clogged our mind with cognitive junk

Question 4

services political system

Answer 4

helps make political system to work; used to communicate between government and citizens
ex/ elections - learn about candidates through mass media
-internationally as well

Question 5

social cohesion, community

Answer 5

base of common knowledge, focus, interests, idea, concerns
- makes a national community
ex/ 9/11; OJ Simpson trial, American Idol, common narrative of newspapers

Question 6

services the economy

Answer 6

business reports

-advertising sells products –> creates job; supports media