Relationship among Media, Society, and Individuals

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Of the various social and cultural forces in our society, the mass media is arguably the most influential in molding public consciousness. Americans spend an average twenty-eight hours per week watching television. They also spend an undetermined number of hours reading periodicals, listening to the radio, and going to the movies (Gregory Mantsios, 386). These form of entertainment promote products, moods, attitudes, beauty ideals, and all that is considered important. Media has become a dynamic influence on our distorted perception of our bodies, minds, and spirits. The constant exposure of media portrayals is a significant force in modern culture. Individuals are frequently being bombarded with images and messages from media sources such as TV, Billboards, and Magazines instructing them on what it means to be and feel inclusive to our society. Socialization based upon influential portrayals of media can lead to misinformation that contributes to racism, sexism, and class oppression (Affects of Media on Society Research Paper). A major concern for society, today, is that media controls the vast amount of our daily lives. Within this research paper, I critically examine the influence media has had within our society and demonstrate the importance in recognizing how everyday media transmit ideologies that oppress certain populations while privileging others. The means of communication can be informative and entertaining. There are many pros and cons when it comes to deciphering the effects of mass media. It serves to alert and inform its audiences about newsworthy occurrences using the shock factor, worst-case scenario circumstances. It also plays a key role in defining our cultural tastes, establishing our national identity and... ... middle of paper ... ... An Anthropology, Eighth Edition. Margaret L. Andersen and Patricia Hill Collins. Belmont: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2013. 160-164. "Oversimplification and Stereotyping - CliffsNotes." Cliff Notes. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2014 . Perez, Alicia V. "Latina Women on the Screen: A Realistic Portrayal” Feminspire. n.d. Web. 9 June 2014 . "What role does mass media play in society?" The Sociology of Media. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2014 "not optional - blogspot.com." Insert Name of Site in Italics. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2014 .

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