Technological changes shaped the radio into the power force it became in the 1920's. As the technology evolved, so did the radio and its significance in everyday life.
Technological changes have historically been the catalyst of developing powerhouse industries. From the airplane to the cell phone, to the iPod, technological innovations change our society completely as we become dependent on new technology, making it necessary for proper participation in society. Through this effect, the industries behind the new technology hold a great amount of power until new technological changes come about and replace them.
Beginning with Marconi's "wireless telegraph," and evolving into Sarnoff's "radio music box," it is evident that the technological evolution of radio embedded it into society and turned the radio industry into the tycoon it became. Marconi's original innovation was the birth of radio. Its technological relevance became apparent through its cruciality during the Titanic crisis. This inspired David Sarnoff to further develop the radio into personal "radio music boxes," which was a major part of shaping the radio industry. This development allowed radio to turn into a part of everyday life, whether it was bringing families together to listen to programs or keeping the public informed. The technological innovation of personal radios unified the country, making them an essential aspect of society and thus strengthening the radio industry.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Social Learning Through the Media
Through television series and advertisements catered at young teenagers, the media often instigates the social learning of certain activities, making them seem "normal" when they actually are not.
Social learning takes place when people begin to imitate actions they are constantly exposed to. This was proven through Albert Bandura's experiment with the Bobo Doll. Children who watched violent actions were likely to repeat them, simply because they had seen them. Similarly, in the documentaries Killing Us Softly and Tough Guise, the effects of stereotypical images of men and women constantly reinforced through advertising were proven to have a lasting effect on how people see themselves and, thus, behave. The media plays a key role in social learning because its mass communication ability allows it to strongly influence cultural changes.
Television shows like Gossip Girl, 90210, and The Secret Life of the American Teenager are just a few shows catered toward young audiences that promote adult behavior in young, high school age kids. Shows like these with young followers cause social learning to occur, making it seem okay to be promiscuous, pregnant at sixteen, drink alcohol or do drugs. Many shows like these show young teenagers living the lives of adults, and make it seem "normal." Social learning from media like this
influences young culture in the United States because when teens see other teens doing something, they feel it's something they should also be doing. Below are some advertisements for these shows, highlighting the mature content presented.
Social learning takes place when people begin to imitate actions they are constantly exposed to. This was proven through Albert Bandura's experiment with the Bobo Doll. Children who watched violent actions were likely to repeat them, simply because they had seen them. Similarly, in the documentaries Killing Us Softly and Tough Guise, the effects of stereotypical images of men and women constantly reinforced through advertising were proven to have a lasting effect on how people see themselves and, thus, behave. The media plays a key role in social learning because its mass communication ability allows it to strongly influence cultural changes.
Television shows like Gossip Girl, 90210, and The Secret Life of the American Teenager are just a few shows catered toward young audiences that promote adult behavior in young, high school age kids. Shows like these with young followers cause social learning to occur, making it seem okay to be promiscuous, pregnant at sixteen, drink alcohol or do drugs. Many shows like these show young teenagers living the lives of adults, and make it seem "normal." Social learning from media like this
influences young culture in the United States because when teens see other teens doing something, they feel it's something they should also be doing. Below are some advertisements for these shows, highlighting the mature content presented.
Photos from: http://dellasays.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/omfg/ and http://therealchrislee.com/?p=45
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Agenda Setting in the Media
Although we may not realize it, we are all victims of agenda setting in the media. Gatekeepers will often tailor media to fit a certain audience's preference, promoting the agenda of a "typical" member of those being targeted so that the media, whether it be advertising, television or news, can be the most successful.
Agenda setting occurs when an owner or producer of a certain type of media wishes to promote certain ideals, and therefore picks and chooses what the audience will see. Oftentimes, in order to keep their audience and/or customers interested in their product, the media has to cater their advertising and even the news itself towards the audience members being targeted. This can be noted in news stations, such as the notorious Fox and MSNBC, that highlight more conservative and more liberal ideas, respectively, based on their target audience. This turns into agenda setting when these companies rely on the stereotypes of their target audience to decide what news or advertisements they will see.
As I was uploading some pictures on my Facebook, I happened to look at the advertisements on the side of the page. I noticed a strange coincidence about all of the ads: they all catered to my interests. Facebook had used information I put in my profile about my activities, school and location and used it to promote advertisements about cheerleading, UT, and places to shop around Austin. This is a perfect example of agenda setting in the media, as Facebook decides what kind of advertisements would be more likely to get a response from people based on their own personal interests as indicated in their profile. The images below are of a few ads from my Facebook. These advertisements draw from my interest in art, my attendance at UT, my hometown, Dallas, and my recent trip to Puerto Rico. Next time you're on Facebook, see what kind of advertisements are on your agenda!
Agenda setting occurs when an owner or producer of a certain type of media wishes to promote certain ideals, and therefore picks and chooses what the audience will see. Oftentimes, in order to keep their audience and/or customers interested in their product, the media has to cater their advertising and even the news itself towards the audience members being targeted. This can be noted in news stations, such as the notorious Fox and MSNBC, that highlight more conservative and more liberal ideas, respectively, based on their target audience. This turns into agenda setting when these companies rely on the stereotypes of their target audience to decide what news or advertisements they will see.
As I was uploading some pictures on my Facebook, I happened to look at the advertisements on the side of the page. I noticed a strange coincidence about all of the ads: they all catered to my interests. Facebook had used information I put in my profile about my activities, school and location and used it to promote advertisements about cheerleading, UT, and places to shop around Austin. This is a perfect example of agenda setting in the media, as Facebook decides what kind of advertisements would be more likely to get a response from people based on their own personal interests as indicated in their profile. The images below are of a few ads from my Facebook. These advertisements draw from my interest in art, my attendance at UT, my hometown, Dallas, and my recent trip to Puerto Rico. Next time you're on Facebook, see what kind of advertisements are on your agenda!
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