SOC 103 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: Narrowcasting, Social Constructionism, Hyperreality

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 103
• Professor: Teppermann

Document Summary

The mass media not only provide entertainment and information, they affect our social institutions as well as our behaviour. Debates have long raged about whether the media shapes behaviour or merely reflects it either way, the effects are profound. Functionalists are interested in the way the mass media are organized and how this organization contributes to social equilibrium. Critical theorists, on the other hand, are interested in the ways powerful groups use the media they own or control to further organizational or class interests. This chapter also discusses the political economy perspective and the cultural studies perspective. While the political economy perspective concentrates on media ownership and control, the cultural studies perspective focuses on the ideological aspects of the media, specifically its role in supporting and manipulating power. Feminist theorists point out that media images of women communicate unrealistic, stereotypical, and limiting perceptions of women.