This course is designed to explore the effects of mass media on individuals, families, and institutions within modern society. In this seminar, students will 1) explore the “media effects” literature and relevant theories, and 2) examine what the literature tells us about media (print, broadcast, online, social) influences on women, children, adolescents, and families by exploring issues such as identity development, socialization, crime, violence, substance abuse, sexual attitudes and behaviors, marginalization of minority groups, and pathological health practices and other anti-social behaviors. The course will prepare second-year grad students for their comprehensive exams and more advanced graduate study in the area of media effects.
The conclusion reached by Hanewinkel et al in researching the effects of US movies on a group of German Adolescents is in my opinion plausible and valid. Quite intriguing is the authors admittance of limitations "to their ability to assume casual order as well as the likelihood that order confounding factors may have contributed to the relationship found".
ReplyDeleteThe inability to admit this limitations would have been tantamount to mere research sophistry when the dynamic and diverse nature of adolescents are put in proper perspective. I attempt to juxtapose the authors conclusion in the text with what obtains in my culture in Nigeria and found it plausible. The fact that the society is saturated with sundry mass media is not a guarantee that a particular message embedded in movies or other forms can unilaterally influence and shape behavior.
The fleeting messages in the media in my culture for instance have little or no impact in influencing the young as much as "role play" and what they are exposed to. Even more unrealistic for this type of influence to take root is the recurring epileptic electricity supply that limits access to most social media and Television.
I agree with Hanewinkel, that indeed, exposure does not guarantee attention.