Class Notes Media is a generic broad term for all human invented technology that extends the range speed or channels of communication o Examples microphone projectors pens notepads cell phones o Media connects us through different mediums Medium refers to a specific type of media such as a book newspaper radio television telephone film Internet video game or e mail Each medium connects people o Social media mixes interpersonal and media together o Media is the plural of medium The term mediated means an intervening agency means or instrument So the media is something between the message sender and the message receiver that connects them Characteristics of mediated communication Impersonal not personal not every message that is delivered from someone is from them addressing a message to a group of people and not one person Feedback is limited and asynchronous not at the same time delay Passive sitting back and taking in the information doesn t require a lot engagement from a viewer listener Anonymous we do not always know who the message sender is o Fake twitter accounts Limited accountability not a lot responsibility for anything that occurs in mediated communication o Disclaimers we are not held responsible for the views of Issues in a mediated society rules regarding technology Counterfactual representations not everything we see hear in the media is true o Actors playing different roles in film Photoshop and beautifying models in pictures Availability of synthetic artificial experience we see things in the media that we could not see with our own eyes o Slow motion different angels rewind Dramatization of factual experience elaborating and exploding real events Simplification of complex issues reflects events into a yes good and no bad situation summarizing issues are not always presented using the best mediums i e television Substitution of communication for transportation you don t always have to go places to see learn shop and experience things Media Studies Media industry the business financial aspect Media effects only cares about the effect the media has on people o Involves wanting to do research surveys numbers social scientist o Effects are good bad or nothing Media likes when the effects are good or nothing but not bad Map of theories of media effects Viewers active strong Media Exposure action weak Effects what does it do outcome Viewers o Passive don t have a lot ability to control the effects of the media we need someone parents government to watch over us if the effects are harmful than it will harm us o Active but sometimes weak viewers sometimes make choices but we are weak to block the effects from the media o Active and strong the idea that viewers are in charge and the medias effects are our own faults and not the medias Example reenacting a dangerous stunt from television Media Exposure signal controlled o Powerful direct want more regulation what to expect and needs to be o Middle range some of the people some of the time Children need to be protected because their brains are not fully developed don t know what s real from what s not Depends on the situation o Weak indirect any consequences of the media are entirely individually driven Effects outcome o Behavioral how do people s actions change Easy to measure through observation o Attitudinal what you like and dislike how does the use of the media effect our attitudes o Cognitive the media can shape the way we think Media can shape change and reinforce what people think o Physiological effects that can be measured through our body Example emotional arousal change in heart rate pupil dilatation Media effects and violence media has the potential to teach people about violence Three types of harmful media effects can occur Learning we are learning about violence through the media and the idea that this can lead to violence Fear people who interact with the media are more likely to be scared Desensitization doesn t view violence as harmful to our society History of technology and communication Pictographs the earliest technology human beings invented for communication Books migrated around the world and provided the ability to spread information convey messages globally Newspapers mass communication used to spread news o Decline of newspapers due technology Magazines Movies o General Interest Magazines multiple topics o Specific Magazines sports cooking art o Began with no sound and were in black and white o We can now watch movies at home as well as at theaters o 4 D Radio first wireless technology Television the idea that we spend to much time in front of the TV o Amusing ourselves to death Postman 1985 Internet 1980s social networking Communicating interpersonally with technology Face to face communication accuracy influence Mediated communication convenience different locations Cell Phones boundary issues everyone can hear our conversations Texting restrictions distracting Internet use diversity in languages o Problematic internet use less social contact and more loneliness o Messages are easy to express but hard to remove the content Social Media interpersonal information impression formation relationship development o Social Information Processing Theory Walther Diffusion of technology innovations the population usually follows a bell shaped curve in the acceptance of new ideas and use of new technology Verbal Cues Extended Time o First 2 5 Innovators o Next 13 5 Early adapters o Next 34 Early majority o Next 34 Late majority o Last 16 Laggards Uses and gratifications theory Viewers active strong Media Exposure weak Effects what does it do outcome More people use televisions than the Internet Once you buy television you are set financially However you have to pay for Internet and Wi Fi continually People use media for a variety of reasons o Diversion pass time o Emotional release venting catharsis the media allows us to experience emotions in a safe way without the negative consequences Example scary and sad movies o Companionship the media can replace the feeling of having a face to face relationship when it is not possible by providing a version of it o Identity reinforcement definition of who you are and how you represent yourself You can reinforce your identity from things that define you ex wearing school logo o Surveillance the media keeps an eye on people who obtain power financial political Print media reflects this idea the best The user of the media is in control Outcomes o Selective