Blog Three

The initial purpose of the mass media was to be able to spread information quickly and efficiently throughout the world. Unfortunately, the mass media no longer gives only important or useful information to those exposed to it. It also spreads gossip and makes opinions and expectations known, whether they be hurtful or not. The mass media has become a tool of manipulation; it now sets the standards for how different races and genders should not only look, but act, as well. In turn, this has greatly affected how people perceive one another and themselves.

People no longer go to the media for the sole purpose of finding facts, partly because it offers so much more than that. It offers entertainment and advertisements for sports, clothing, restaurants, make-up, hair products, and so much more, all of which can be found in magazines, on billboards, the radio, or television. It’s literally everywhere, and along with the entertainment and advertisements come opinions and expectations. Television shows meant to entertain perhaps are the biggest culprits for setting the standards on behavior. They exploit a certain group of people, and inevitably as a result, people begin to expect certain behaviors from others, thus changing their perception on certain individuals and groups. This is how stereotypes are formed, such as all Asians are smart, or women should do all the cooking and cleaning at home. When these expectations are not met, people judge one another, whether or not they are of the same ethnicity, race or gender. Advertisements also set expectations, but typically for how people should look. Women in ads are edited and photo shopped until they appear flawless, which leaves most women feeling as if they, too, need to achieve flawlessness in order to be beautiful or accepted. Of course, this goal is unrealistic, but still, when women fail to look like a certain way, they may view themselves as being unattractive or unappealing, which can really lower their self esteem.

Learning outcome two, which shows an awareness of the potential for educational, political, or ideological influence of the media, is obvious in the media. The mass media influences the way people perceive one another, the way people behave, and what is considered a social norm. Advertisements manipulate individuals into conforming into their belief systems. Censorship only shows the audience certain things, which leads to them believing that what they see is the only possibility. More or less, the media prays on the insecurities of individuals until they follow the beliefs of the mass media.