PSYC 3310 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Spreading Activation, Bobo Doll Experiment, Cognitive Psychology
9 Apr 2013
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Chapter 7: applying social psychology to the media. War of the worlds radio broadcast that was performed by the mercury theatre. The broadcast had announced that martians had begun to attack earth and civilians were asked to leave town. Unfortunately, people missed the opening announcement that it was a radio play and begun to flee or take protective measures by sealing their homes. This example shows how powerful media can shape people"s social reality. Republican senator william knowland held a 20-hour telethon in an attempt to salvage his campaign for governer. The majority of people that watched it already supported the governer. Knowland"s telethon demonstrates one of the limitations of the media. People often watch programs that reflect what they already believe. It might be the case that the media may reinforce what people think but will not change what they think. The media have become an integral part of our lives.
