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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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Mass Media's Reinforcement of Social Inequalities
- Social Inequalities in the Past
- The Emergence of Mass Media
- Functionalism and the Media
- Reinforcing Inequalities
- Stereotypes and Prejudice
- Improving the Situation
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the ways in which mass media has reinforced social inequalities. It explores the historical context of social inequalities, analyzes how mass media perpetuates existing inequalities, and discusses the potential for media to both reinforce and challenge negative stereotypes.
- The impact of mass media on social inequalities
- The role of stereotypes and prejudice in media representations
- Historical examples of media's role in reinforcing social inequalities
- The potential for media to promote social change and challenge inequalities
- The influence of social contexts on media consumption and interpretation
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The essay begins by outlining the historical context of social inequalities, including examples of slavery, patriarchy, and the societal perception of disability.
- The essay then explores the emergence of mass media, starting with the publication of early newspapers, and discusses the role of the media in promoting a shared cultural identity.
- The author examines the functionalist theory of media, which emphasizes its role in informing, educating, and entertaining the public. However, the essay argues that this theory is limited in its scope, as it fails to consider the potential negative effects of media.
- The essay then delves into specific examples of how media has reinforced existing social inequalities, such as the portrayal of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's disability, Nazi propaganda during World War II, and the stereotypical portrayal of disabled individuals in films.
- The essay concludes by exploring the potential for media to challenge negative stereotypes and promote social change, citing examples such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the changing representation of minorities in film and television.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay focuses on the complex relationship between mass media and social inequalities. Key themes include the historical development of inequalities, the role of stereotypes and prejudice in media representations, the functionalist theory of media, and the potential for media to both reinforce and challenge existing societal structures. The essay draws upon examples from history, film, and contemporary culture to illustrate its points.
- 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
