Audience theory 2: blog tasks

Theory questions and your opinion

1) Social learning theory has been criticised for simplifying the causes of violence in society. Do you think the media is responsible for anti-social behaviour and violence?

The media shouldn't be blamed and held accountable for something a consciously abled persons should or should do. This is because their behaviour stems from other major factors but totally blaming it on the media is not the answer. This could be case for the participants mental health issues, background and history. However some media could root to the final decision of those who have reacted violently and who've had issues with anti-social behaviour.


2) How is social learning theory relevant in the digital age? Are young people now learning behaviour from social media and the internet? Give examples.

Social learning is linked to the digital age because of how it has reached and influenced a wider audience. Adolescents nowadays are forming a new wave of copying from each other action via various platforms through various platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. Teenagers do this by posting videos or pictures/messages that are copied from other friends or influencers which they then mimic for their own gains such as followers or likes. They normally do this at the peak for an exact 'trend'. However their are no moral obligation to each 'trend' so for whatever 'trend' that is circulating being it healthy or safe teens will do it. An example of a dangerous 'trend' that had parents and conscious people worried was the tide pod challenge. In which teenagers would film themselves eating laundry detergent for "entertainment". This caused wide spread panic across various platforms as it has serious concerns as some teens had nearly died for this challenge. 

3) Research three examples of moral panic from the last 50 years. To what extent was the media responsible for these moral panics? Was the concern in society justified? How have things changed as a result of these moral panics?


The first moral panic would the 1993 murder case of 2-year-old James Bulger. To an extent the media and particularly film (horror themed) was blamed and focused on as the 2 boys which had murdered Bulger watched 'child's play 3' which had been apparently been the route for this murder. This caused a moral panic across widespread media leading the censorship of 'video nasties'. The concern was justified in those terms because of the lack of psychological knowledge and understanding. However, this film wasn't the sole perpetrator for these boys actions as there had to be a deeper concept of what happened. Things have changed dramatically for the better as we no longer censored film that have violent theme rather give it age ratings and we have developed a better and advanced understanding of people's health and reasoning behind some actions. 


Another moral panic would be the controversy surrounding various scenes from the TV show '13 reasons why'. The science which caused outrage was the science where we see Hannah Baker (protagonist) slit her writs and commits suicide. This scene was widely criticised and debated not only from that particular scene but the whole show. Which argues whether this show should be aired or not as a result those scenes has created a moral panic in the media as they regulated and argued the fact that some teens were influenced by the actions of Hannah Baker resulting in teen suicide rate to grow by 13.3% after the show aired. This striked moral panic causing the show to re-edit warnings which has never been done by before for a fictional show on Netflix. The concern was justified because it had shown distressing scenes without warning viewer about what they are about to witness. Things have changed as a result of these moral panics as more directors and and film makers are cautious about scenes they put out and if its mature scenes they tend to give warming beforehand.

Another moral panic which has occurred would be the popularity of doomsday scenarios and survival-ism. After the movie 2012 there was a sudden interest in the matter and people we starting get worried and becoming fixated on future events and would have catastrophic effects on us. The media reacted with those audiences that resulted in a moral panic and everyone were fearful of what was going to happen. The concern was justified because of religious beliefs and ethical grounds,this meant that people were able to understand the panic. However, it was speculated that people started this for their own accord and for the fun of understanding whats going to happen to us.  



4) Read this introduction to an academic paper on technopanics. What examples are given of technopanics that create fear in society?

This could be public, political, and academic. this is extreme measures could lead to censorship and then this means leading the public into thinking there is more greater problems for society. This means when something is bringing upon terror so the system needs to take care of it for safety reason to bring back the "harmony" in society.



5) Do you think the internet should be regulated? Should the government try and control what we can access online?


Personally, i think the internet shouldn't be regulated because its peoples human right to be able to express their opinions and be able to use the internet in ways they deem necessary. This is because in order to keep peace in some cases we need to give people a space and platform to express themselves. If the government try to censor of shut down a particular access point it will cause riots as people will find other ways to access it illegally as you don't really shut down various internet points you just off the safer way which means inevitably people will find other ways which will result in them being pointed into criminal territory. However, to some extent controlling some parts of the internet will beneficial to keep the majority safe more secret terror attacks against innocent civilians or illegal government spying from other countries.



6) Apply Gerbner's cultivation theory to new and digital media. Is the internet creating a fearful population? Are we becoming desensitised to online threats, trolling and abuse? Is heavy internet use something we should be worried about in society? Write a paragraph discussing these ideas.

Gerbner's cultivation theory is applied to digital media as it means that the media influences people's ideas and ideology everyday through different forms of media. personally, i believe that the internet in creating a fearful population due to the rise in terrorist threats from abroad and people easily joining from social media. This means that people are becoming weary and more cautious however are also rising against action being taken on those to try to stop it from affecting us on social media or the internet. we as society we are becoming more desensitised to threats as we don't care because we know that it won't hurt us in the long run.
The effects debate: Media Factsheet


1) Complete the questions in the first activity box (beginning with 'Do you play violent games? Are you violent in real life?')

1) I personally don't play violent games because it's not something I'm interested in. However, I do watch horror movies which to some extent is intense. In reality I'm not violent or aggressive towards anyone because if believe something is morally wrong I would not re-create those actions. 

2) If that product is something I think would benefit me then i would buy it or it's something my friends have got and they think it's a good purchase I would consider buying it. 

3) Yes I've seen many documentary have shaped the way i feel about a particular subject and has informed me of things that I didn't know about that specific topic. 


2) What are the four categories for different effects theories?

1) Direct effect theories.
2) Diffusion theories.
3) Indirect effect theories.
4) The pluralist theory/approach. 




3) What are the examples provided for the hypodermic needle theory - where media texts have been blamed for certain events? 

The events include 


4) What was the 1999 Columbine massacre? You may need to research this online in addition to the information on the factsheet.

The 1999 columbine massacre was a school shooting which had resulted 15 deaths including the two men who had done the shooting, they had commenced suicide. Those responsible were Dylan klebold and Eric Harris. The media were quick to respond and blamed the acts if violence on their music choice and media consumption.


5) What are the reasons listed on the factsheet to possibly explain the Columbine High School massacre?

The reasons were those boys listening to marilyn Manson, a heavy metal band. Another reason stated by the media was the boys alienation as they were deemed "outcast" and that antisocial behaviour had lead them to commit acts of violence against their "oppressors". Another more powerful argument would be the easy access to firearms without any ethical background checks. 


6) How does the factsheet describe Gerbner's Cultivation theory?

Gerbner's cultivation theory is described in the factsheet as the media affecting attitudes rather than behaviour. It's the idea that our society's future is based around socially constructed process of communicating an 'appropriate' attitudes and norms and values that fit our culture.


7) What does the factsheet suggest about action films and the values and ideologies that are reinforced with regards to violence?

The factsheet suggests that action films reinforces the idea of violence to gain a common goal because in reality we can't do the things those actions heroes or heroines do because it's seen as socially unacceptable in any situation. 


8) What criticisms of direct effect theories are suggested in the factsheet?

Direct effect theories suggested are that we as a society are more influenced by the two-step theory because we may be affects by opinion leaders and the responses they have on us.


9) Why might the 1970s sitcom Love Thy Neighbour be considered so controversial today? What does this tell us about Reception theory and how audiences create meanings?

The 1970s sitcom love thy neighbor would be deemed controversial as the racial slurs and bigoted ideas wouldn't reflect the views of a progressive society. This means the as we became more open and understanding about the importance of equality and respect we learnt that these ideas that had been televised didn't reflect our moral values.


10) What examples are provided for Hall's theory of preferred, negotiated and oppositional readings?

The examples used for Hall's preferred, negotiated and oppositional readings would be The sun and The guardian as they take the same issue but expressed it to fit their agenda. This means that the negotiated reading would to find that common ground in that issue.