Do you think the media creates a society's values or just reflects them?

[imported_Tomato]

Do you think the media (television, movies, books, etc.) creates a society's values or just reflects them?

Your thoughts? Any examples?

 

[jagec]

They provide an influence for sure, but they don't create.

 

[Kenazo]

I think they normalize the extremes, however they do not reflect the norm.

 

[Train]

I think it goes both ways, youll be able to dig up support for either possibility.

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: Kenazo
I think they normalize the extremes, however they do not reflect the norm.

Wow. I think that is very well put and I agree.

 

[SuperTool]

Man, that Paris Hilton South Park episode was pretty funny.

 

[Dubb]

< insert random nef about doing your own damn soc. homework.>

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: jagec
They provide an influence for sure, but they don't create.

Hmm. I was thinking in some instances, they might? i.e. the "sexification" of our culture... Britney and Christina sporting belly button rings, inspiring hordes of teen girls to do the same. Parents might be upset with this at first, but then attribute it to the changing of the times/youth/etc... hence, eventually an adjustment/change/creation of new values.

Is that a weak example?

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: Dubb
< insert random nef about doing your own damn soc. homework.>

It's not soc. homework. I graduated from undergrad almost 2 years ago.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Tomato

Originally posted by: jagec
They provide an influence for sure, but they don't create.

Hmm. I was thinking in some instances, they might? i.e. the "sexification" of our culture... Britney and Christina sporting belly button rings, inspiring hordes of teen girls to do the same. Parents might be upset with this at first, but then attribute it to the changing of the times/youth/etc... hence, eventually an adjustment/change/creation of new values.

Is that a weak example?

The media plays it up for sure, but Britney wouldn't have gotten that belly button ring in the first place if it wasn't for the social influences of the 60's, and a steady trend towards acceptance of such things.

/edit: Oh yeah, and the media cares about ratings, so they never report the REALLY edgy stuff. Not until society is ready for it, at least.

 

[Dubb]

Originally posted by: Tomato

Originally posted by: Dubb
< insert random nef about doing your own damn soc. homework.>

It's not soc. homework. I graduated from undergrad almost 2 years ago.

so, what, they're still asking you simple questions in grad school? damn, I should have switched to liberal arts.























/taps the "I was joking" meter....sigh....broken again.

 

[kranky]

I think media does shape values.

A study by the Rand organization showed that teens who saw the most sex on TV were more likely to have sex. It also showed that shows that explain the risks of sex help to educate teens. But many, many shows do not indicate any possible negative consequences of having sex.

On one hand the media says they can't affect people's behavior. On the other, they also collect billions from advertisers each year because they have study after study proving that advertising is effective. So by their own admission they can and do affect how people act.

 

[SelArom]

Originally posted by: Tomato
Do you think the media (television, movies, books, etc.) creates a society's values or just reflects them?

Your thoughts? Any examples?

I'd say the best answer is that it capitalizes on them.

Originally posted by Tomato
Hmm. I was thinking in some instances, they might? i.e. the "sexification" of our culture... Britney and Christina sporting belly button rings, inspiring hordes of teen girls to do the same. Parents might be upset with this at first, but then attribute it to the changing of the times/youth/etc... hence, eventually an adjustment/change/creation of new values.

Sex sells, and as long as people buy into it they will keep selling it. everything they broadcast to us is in an effort to make money. I mean sure there are a lot of great shows out there that have something worth saying and a worthwhile message. but if they weren't profitable they wouldn't be on tv.

The media doesn't really have any obligation to create wholesome values in our society. That's our own job as members of it. But since nobody wants to make the effort, we all just rely on the media to do it for us. bad idea but oh well it's not like it's ever going to change. they'll keep gettin richer and we'll keep gettin sicker and beg for more