MACS 110 | Introduction to Mass Communication Theory translate
Week 9: Moving Beyond Limited Effects: Focus on Functionalism and Children back to MACS 110 Home
Functional analysis sees society as a system in balance – i.e. the functional outbalances the dysfunctional, so provides a rationale to ignore the dysfunctional – largely produces conclusions that legitimize the status quo.
Limited effects continue to dominate through the 60s and 70s despite the fact psychologists were finding harmful effects of mediated violence.
Considering the “new social landscape” of the 1960s. How are media influences related to social upheaval, the generational gap, and a shift in the role of media and socialization ? What factors from the 1960s caused a rethinking of media effects ?
Questions for consideration:
In what ways might functional analysis overlook latent functions of the media in favour of manifest functions ? Do you believe the functional outbalances the dysfunctional ?
What might be an example of narcotizing dysfunction other than crime or war ?
How did social cognitive theory and its argument that 'pictures provide information on which to base subsequent behaviour' begin to undermine limited effects theory ?
Why did Merton emphasize the “necessity of combining induction with deduction.”
Consider observational learning, inhibitory effects (punishment), and disinhibitory effects (reward) in terms of realityTV shows like Cops and The First 48. How can learning (either inhibitory effects or disinhibitory effects) be reinforced ?
Discuss mediated violence within the context of social cognitive theory.
Do we actively seek out messages that reinforce our beliefs and avoid others ?
Consider the classic four functions of the media: surveillance, correlation, transmission of the social heritage, and entertainment. Provide an example of a significant shift in these functions from the 1960s to the present.
In terms of systems theory and feedback loops, how do new media work in ways that traditional media do not ? In what ways is feedback now instantaneous ?
Give examples of imitation, identification, modelling, aggressive cues and priming effects - for example, how seeing something through TV increases the probability of imitation.
In what ways is mass entertainment theory compatible with the uses and gratifications view of media effects, along with catharsis ? What TV, movie, or videogame characters do you, or have you, identified with ?
How might Mendelsohn's theory be criticized in terms of some of today's forms of mass entertainment such as Second Life ?
What do you understand by "viewing schema" ?
