The media having somewhat of a persuasion is something that the majority of us may be able to agree upon, however, many still disagree on the matter. Those that even agree slightly may argue it persuades only the gullible. Others may argue that persuasion is purely involved with advertising and marketing of products. My findings seem to point that the effects of the media may be powerful enough to conform the mass into both having a common belief and producing a common identity. It is only through counter-culture that people may argue with the mass but especially with identity, counter-culture may feel inferior to the norm.
For instance, the media has been utilized to place women as inferior for a matter of centuries. During WWI when soldiers were shipped across waters to fight for our country, women were taking over “mans work” such as in the factories. When they came back it was realized that they needed to put women back in their ‘place’. This is where we see the rising popularity of the razor. Advertisers were able to make women feel unhygienic and unfeminine by not shaving. However this obviously wasn’t the case before 1914. Gillete sales doubled after the war.
The media is powerful tool. Theory is this: we shouldn’t undermine the influence it may have on society.
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I believe the media influences the way people think tremendously; however, I am skeptical if media is the strongest influence that impacts people the most.
ReplyDeleteIn no way do I make a claim that the media is the strongest influence to impact people or more specifically their behavior. Each individual experience different things and many, many, MANY factors may play into every decision that a person makes. I do think the media has the power to create this decision, however. For instance, you were not hungry until you saw saw an advertisement for Bojangles' biscuit and fries and let's not leave out the sweet tea. Your primal response is, "Do I want to go out and get some Bojangles?" The media therefore originates the decision and the effect of the advertisement (depending on how convincing) may drive you to get Bojangles, along with a million other factors, ranging from if the person eats or doesn't eat fast food to the person has or doesn't have a car to get Bojangles.
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