Hola friends!!
For this post, we will be looking at some arguable issues that the media effects model has led to, with reference taken from an article on media effects studies by David Gauntlett.
Before moving on, let’s find out what a media effect model is all about!
The media effect model is defined as ideas that explains how an audience’s attitude and perception is influenced by the mass media.
However, this model has garnered numerous disagreements from the public and got them thinking if the model is really credible, so shall we take a look at some of these issues?
I: Tackles an issue ‘backwards’
The first issue raised was that the use of the media effects model tackles a problem by putting the blame on the media first, instead of other possible factors such as a person’s background or surrounding environment. Like what was previously discussed in class, is the reason for a person to be anorexic mainly due to the media? As media is widely used by everyone, the theory would naturally derive at a conclusion that the media has led to the person being anorexic. But, is the media the only influential factor for a person to be anorexic? Will this reasoning be valid for all cases related to the media?
II: Study subjects are belittled
The second issue raised is the choice of participants for a study on media effects. Based on the model, media studies are often carried out with children or people who are deemed as ‘unstable’ individuals. The model discriminates against the social hierarchy of people by assuming that the educated or working-class people are less prone to being affected by the media, and thus the ‘lower-class’ people as their study subjects.
III: Not supported by theories
The last issue I will talk about is on how the effects model is not supported by any concrete pieces of evidence that shows the effects of media on people. The model gives us a vague explanation on how the media affects people solely based on the researchers’ assumptions, and also due to the studies being carried out only on a selective group of people, the results of the study is not entirely credible and thus leading to a poor rational interpretation of media effects.
Thoughts on media.
What are some interesting questions to ask about the role of the media today, in the shaping of mass opinion (In the age of the Internet)?
Some questions that my curiosity has led me to are:
- Is the rapid advancement of technology more beneficial or harmful to us?
- Will the exposure to media continue to influence our thinking?
- Will people’s opinion about media change in the future?
Here we are! The end of my second blog post. I hope you guys enjoyed reading some of my thoughts and maybe, share the same thinking as me?? See you guys in the next post!! 🙂
CYNTHIA 