Audience theory 2: blog tasks

 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?

Well it's hard to say, one hand you have the social learning theory which I do mostly agree with as kids are very impressionable at their age so if the social media is promoting violent stuff kids may pick it up and adopt it to their behaviour. But then there is the part where parents are to blame as its their and only their responsibility to raise their kids to be functioning, disciplined and respectful members of society.

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.

In my opinion it is very relevant as with the internet parents have less control over their kids learning and development so kids take role models from the social media and blindly follow them without understanding why they follow them which can cause negatives like hating your body, for example the female body image that is portrayed but it can have good effects like Andrew Tate followers who mostly cause of him have started to work out and build discipline.  

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 American moral panic of the invasion of the Soviet Union and communism taking over(50's). In my opinion there was reason to be stressed about it but it was over reacted a bit as America knew that if a war happened it would either result in their victory or end of the world. America was forced to keep evolving the world ending weapons that are the nuclear bombs.

Video game violence(90's). People were concerned about video games making kids more violent. In my opinion quite a dumb one as video games have nothing to do with a persons bloodthirst as there are no case studies about. there may be anomalies but that's it, there is on correlation.

Satanic panic(80's-90's).During the 1980s and 1990s, there was widespread fear of satanic ritual abuse, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom. The media sensationalized stories of alleged ritualistic abuse, leading to false accusations, sensational trials, and the stigmatization of certain groups, including day-care workers and heavy metal music enjoyers.

4) Read this introduction to an academic paper on techno panics. What examples are given of techno panics that create fear in society? If the link is blocked in school, you can access the text here.

Cybersecurity, digital privacy, and online child safety

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

No. If people want to access or see something they will. The government can try anything but people will always find a way to access something

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.

It is creating a scared environment because an increasing number of people are turning the internet into a place where people can be victimised and bullied for trying to be themselves. But, as awareness has grown, people are aware that others are not powerless to act while hiding behind a screen, thus using a lot of the internet is not entirely concerning.

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

Depends on what you what you consider violent but by the traditional sense yea I do. Everybody is violent when pushed far enough, so I'm I but I know how to control my self and I'm aware of consequence of my actions.

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

Direct effect theories, diffusion theories. indirect effect theory, the pluralist approach.

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

The Blue Whale Challenge , in which participants were told to commit suicide. 

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

On April 20, 1999, a shooting incident occurred at a high school. Twenty-one individuals were injured and twelve pupils and one instructor were killed. Numerous retaliatory shootings were sparked after the shooting. It was supposed to be a bombing followed by a shooting, but a failed detonation attempt caused it to turn into a shooting instead.

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

Teenagers who felt alone and unfit, the availability and acceptance of firearms, and exposure to a variety of graphic media.

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

Reading one text does not have a significant impact on an individual's well-being; instead, repeated exposure to particular ideas or images has a longer-lasting effect since the person grows accustomed to viewing what they have seen.

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

Violence is only acceptable when it serves a legitimate purpose; otherwise, it is an issue.

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

It is considered that the general public is easily led along and does not distinguish between good and wrong. People's general temperament and intelligence are not taken into consideration.

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?

To the modern spectator, Love Thy Neighbour may seem racist and unpleasant. People's perceptions of humour have evolved with the times, thus what was formerly considered humorous in Love thy Neighbour is no longer perceived as such.

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

The Guardian and The Sun.