CRIM 1650 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Cognitive Dissonance, Research On The Effects Of Violence In Mass Media, Selective Perception

• School: York University
• Department: Criminology
• Course: CRIM 1650
• Professor: Claudio Colaguori

Document Summary

Mass media is the most powerful agent of socialization. Cultivation model media influences culture which influences people. Tv reality is not an accurate reflection of the real world , but it does have a powerful influence on how people understand the real world. Tv has a societal maintenance function in that it encourages values which are system supportive it plays a role in the reproduction of society" through its dissemination of ideologies. Studies have shown that children develop support for authorities at an early age. Crime shows constitute the #1 genre on television. Violence is increasingly popular during prime time programming. The tv industry is profit-seeking so the most popular formulas will be pursued. The dominant formula is good versus evil: good guy bad guy, criminal versus cop. Story is embellished by violent action: car chases, gun shooting, combat scenes, dramatic imagery etc.