Media as a socializing agent
Learn values, goals and belief system of society/culture
Media represent a broad but also narrow socialization influence
How Does Media Influence Children? Is the medium the message?
Time displacementImaginationDistractibility and attention span
Or Is the content the Message?
Cultivation hypothesis exposure is key (passive viewer)
Social learning theory modeling behavior they watch
Constructivist perspective involvement plays a key role (active viewer)
Uses of Media
Entertainment Learning Identity Formation High Sensation Coping Youth Culture Identification
Individual and Group DifferencesDifferences remain stableAfrican-Americans and Latinos
tend to be heavier consumers of the media
Boys watch more TV than girls until late childhood
Music TV
American adolescents watch MTV approx. 15-30 minutes a day
Two categories:Performance VideosConcept Videos
What Are the Messages Shown?
Content analysisViolence
71% of prime-time 92% of Saturday morning
showsAbout 15% of music videos
Sex in the Media
Actual sex is not shown, but often implied
Different roles for males & females
Sex is shown as recreational Rarely refer to consequences
Gender
Women are underrepresentedGender roles are stereotyped
Women young, attractive, thin, sexual object, nurturing, no focus on professional roles
Men emotionless, strong, powerful, dominant, buffoons
What do Youth Comprehend?
Understand better if they can relate to it
Youth see messages found in content analyses
What Does Media Influence?
LanguageSpatial skills no evidenceTime displacement homeworkKnowledge of stereotypes
stereotype threat
Violence and AggressionTV viewing contributes to belief
that violence is frequent in the real world
Viewing TV violence lead to increase in aggressive attitudes, values, and behaviors
Computer Games & Aggressiveness
A majority of adolescents’ favorite games involve themes of violence
Playing violent computer games heightened aggressiveness, hostility and anxiety
Sexuality
TV influences attitudes & expectations
Little evidence of direct influence on behavior
Women are especially vulnerable
Attitudes About Gender
Endorse gender roles attitudes consistent with those of TV (more traditional and stereotypical)
Attitudes about self and others
Race/ethnicity
Racial attitudes Influence self-concept and
esteem Influence academic achievement
& motivation