Why do sociologists have to deal with mass media? Mass media is a big part of modern societies. It seems to be omnipresent and therefore has an impact on societies. It influences and changes society, it favours and it discriminates certain groups of the society. The effect on the audience is not arbitrary but dependent on issues of strong interest for sociology namely, class, gender, social context, ethnicity but also other factors like age and sexuality. Since the 1960s media research expanded to examine the effects on the audience and its feedback.
In this essay we will examine how the mass media reinforces social inequalities. To do this we will take a brief look at what kind of social inequalities existed in the era before the appearance of the mass media. Then the way of how the mass media reinforces these existing social inequalities today, towards the way in which minorities will be treated. Moreover the focus of this essay will shift to how different groups of people can approach the mass media in terms of its access. Finally this text will give a brief outlook to the possible future development will be presented in its outlines.
In addition to that lopsidedness will be avoided by portraying not only the incriminatory theories that affirm the reinforcement of social inequalities through the media like the functionalist theory or the Marxist′s point of view but also some imposing views.
′Media′ is the plural word of ′medium′. "A medium is a means of communication such as print, radio or television. The mass media are defined as a large-scale organization which use one or more of these technologies to communicate with large numbers of people." (Marshall 1996: 313). ′Social inequalities′ are "unequal rewards or opportunities for different individuals within a group or groups within a society" (Marshall 1996: 313). We have to be very critical with that definition otherwise we can find an unjust treatment for every person and therefore everybody would be unequally treated.
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Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Social Inequalities Before Mass Media
- Mass Media and the Reinforcement of Social Inequalities
- Functionalist Theory
- Propaganda and its Impact
- Stereotyping in Media
- Access to Mass Media and Different Groups
- Future Development
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines how mass media reinforces social inequalities. It begins by briefly outlining pre-existing social inequalities and then explores how mass media perpetuates them, focusing on the treatment of minorities and access to media itself. The essay also considers different perspectives, including functionalist and Marxist viewpoints, to provide a balanced perspective.
- The historical context of social inequality before the rise of mass media.
- The role of mass media in perpetuating pre-existing inequalities.
- The differential access to and use of mass media by various social groups.
- The portrayal of minorities and marginalized groups in mass media.
- The impact of media representations on societal perceptions of inequality.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section establishes the essay's central question: how mass media reinforces social inequalities. It defines key terms like "mass media" and "social inequalities," highlighting the importance of considering the media's impact on various social groups based on class, gender, ethnicity, age, and sexuality. The author outlines the essay's structure, promising to examine historical inequalities, the media's role in reinforcing these inequalities, access to media, and future trends. A commitment to a balanced presentation, incorporating both critical and opposing viewpoints, is also made.
Social Inequalities Before Mass Media: This section provides a brief historical overview of social inequalities that existed prior to the widespread use of mass media. Examples such as slavery, patriarchy, and the societal perception of disability are presented to illustrate the pre-existing biases and discriminatory practices prevalent in society. These examples serve as a foundation for understanding how mass media may have built upon or exacerbated these existing societal problems.
Mass Media and the Reinforcement of Social Inequalities: This section delves into the ways mass media has perpetuated and reinforced social inequalities. It starts by discussing the functionalist theory of media, which emphasizes its role in informing, educating, and entertaining, but acknowledges its limitations in addressing the media's effects on individuals and groups. The section then examines how media can reinforce negative stereotypes, citing examples such as the portrayal of President Roosevelt's disability and Nazi propaganda. The essay also uses examples from James Bond films and other movies to demonstrate how minorities and even nations are stereotyped in the media.
Access to Mass Media and Different Groups: While not explicitly detailed in the provided text, this section would likely explore how different social groups have varying levels of access to and control over mass media. This could include discussions of economic disparities affecting media ownership and consumption, as well as the representation of different groups within media itself. It is expected that this would consider the influence of social class, education, and technology access.
Keywords
Mass media, social inequalities, media representation, stereotypes, minorities, functionalist theory, propaganda, access to media, social groups, disability, gender, ethnicity, historical context, societal perceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this essay?
The essay examines how mass media reinforces pre-existing social inequalities. It explores the historical context of these inequalities, how mass media perpetuates them (focusing on the treatment of minorities and access to media), and considers different theoretical perspectives, such as functionalist and Marxist viewpoints.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the historical context of social inequality before mass media; the role of mass media in perpetuating existing inequalities; differential access to and use of mass media by various social groups; the portrayal of minorities and marginalized groups in mass media; and the impact of media representations on societal perceptions of inequality.
What is the essay's structure?
The essay is structured into several sections: an introduction establishing the central question and outlining the essay's scope; a section on social inequalities before mass media; a section on how mass media reinforces these inequalities (including discussion of functionalist theory, propaganda, and stereotyping); a section on access to mass media by different groups; and a concluding section on future developments.
Which theoretical perspectives are considered?
The essay incorporates various perspectives, specifically mentioning functionalist theory to analyze the role of mass media. It also implicitly suggests the use of critical perspectives to offer a balanced view of the media's impact on social inequalities.
What examples are used to illustrate the points made in the essay?
Examples include the portrayal of President Roosevelt's disability, Nazi propaganda, stereotyping in James Bond films and other movies, and general discussions of how minorities and nations are stereotyped. The essay also mentions slavery and patriarchy as examples of pre-existing social inequalities.
What specific social inequalities are addressed?
The essay touches upon various forms of social inequality, including those based on class, gender, ethnicity, age, and sexuality, highlighting the media's role in perpetuating these disparities.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of the content and arguments presented in each section of the essay, outlining the main points and findings of each chapter.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
Keywords include: Mass media, social inequalities, media representation, stereotypes, minorities, functionalist theory, propaganda, access to media, social groups, disability, gender, ethnicity, historical context, societal perceptions.
What is the intended audience for this language preview?
This language preview is intended for academic use, allowing for the analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner.
- Quote paper
- Robert Conrad (Author), 2002, How, if at all, have the mass media reinforced social inequalities?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/8222
