Mass Media in History and Sociology

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

The study of societal change is a significant topic for many scholars. Exceptional importance is given to the subject of mass media, which is an essential part of human history (Hiebert & Gibbons, 2017). Despite the harmful effects of the information industry, it maintains a significant influence on people’s lives. This essay addresses the definition and the history of mass media and investigate its connection to sociology. In addition, it explains the relationship between mass communication systems and members of the society and describes this theme’s relation to my life.

To properly discuss the topic of mass media, it is essential to understand its meaning. It is most commonly defined as “large scale organizations that use print or electronic means to communicate with large numbers of people” (Kendall, 2017). Nowadays, many news companies use advanced sources of delivering information to the public, such as websites, mobile applications, and other technologies based primarily on the Internet. Kendall (2017) describes several functions the media serves, including procuring communication between people and providing various entertainment options. The globality of broadcasting services is a crucial reason behind its influence on people’s behavior. Overall, mass media has a substantial impact on different society members due to its close connection to the information sphere.

Characteristics of the mass media organizations have changed significantly during its history. Communication companies’ origins lie deep in pre alphabet societies, where the primary means of information transfer were oral interactions (Hiebert & Gibbons, 2017). The technological development changed the qualities of media services, starting from stone and clay tablets and arriving at newspapers and web-based interfaces. Therefore, the 20^th century has been the most prominent age for the mass media, as many technological innovations were presented (Hiebert & Gibbons, 2017). Altogether, advanced mechanical and electronic devices enabled faster communication and reformed the broadcasting companies.

The emergence of mass media organizations is intensively discussed in sociological studies. A potentially objective insight into the societal structure, its features, and characteristics requires the investigation of communication services in society (Thompson et al., 2016). Firstly, news companies, television, and other media organizations are an exceptional reflection of the community producing them. Many television shows, books, and musical records exist due to high demand. Additionally, the mass media services often are filters of information, deciding how and when specific data is introduced (Thompson et al., 2016). Secondly, technological progress has contributed significantly to the accessibility of people’s opinions and views, which the media representatives can use to become more appealing to their audience (Pinto et al., 2016). Therefore, mass media is a specifically prominent subject of sociology research.

Various sociological perspectives were applied to mass media to uncover its distinguishing features. As such, the functionalist view explains information services as a primary instrument in instantaneous communication between people from various countries (Thompson et al., 2016). However, there are drastic consequences to this phenomenon – for example, biases and a potentially worsened information quality (Thompson et al., 2016). Overall, the functionalist view is centered around the main tasks achieved through the use of mass media.

Some sociological views regard news organizations from a different, more situational, approach. The interactionist perspective is focused mainly on the influence mass media holds over various events in the world, which allows for great control over people’s attitudes towards this specific event (Thompson et al., 2016). The majority of public services, such as political parties, have a position in the mass media, enabling them to impact their audience’s thoughts and beliefs. From the interactionist point of view, it is essential to consider the role information companies play in social reality.

Exceptional attention is drawn to mass media from the feminist perspective. Gender norms and stereotypes are prevalent within broadcasting organizations, which leads to various biases towards the female population (Kendall, 2017). Scholars state that extensive focus on women’s behavior and appearance limits their successful interactions with the world, lowering their social standing (Kendall, 2017). The feminist approach is required to address the issues of power between males and females and investigate the stereotypical views on women.

A specific area of sociological studies is centered on the social conflict research and media relations. According to conflict theories, traditional news companies seem controlled by immensely wealthy and powerful people (Thompson et al., 2016). It regards the class differences in society and whether it can be accentuated by the media presence. Overall, broadcasting services can be investigated as instruments to gain affluence and proper social standing.

Society members are usually engaged in interaction with media services. The communication between different individuals is highly supported by news companies. Various television shows, books, and articles are essential in people’s everyday lives, forwarding or halting their daily conversations, influencing relationships and views. Despite some individuals feel the media’s breach of privacy, others find these services appealing (Pinto et al., 2016). Altogether, mass media is in a close connection to the society members, and coping with it depends on the individual’s view towards this subject.

I have chosen the topic of mass media due to my extensive knowledge of this subject. As a communications major, I am deeply involved in the study of broadcasting organizations, their impact on society, and the changes they can cause. I am highly observative of the interactions other people have with social media. It was exceptionally engaging for me to study the differences between some individuals.

To conclude, a special relationship exists between mass media and sociological studies. Mass communication systems have a significant influence on society, causing several scientific issues to arise. Interactions between people, entertainment, and news spheres are highly dominated by the media, sometimes leading to stereotypes and biases. Nevertheless, information services play a crucial role in shaping people’s lives and are a potent social growth tool.

References

Hiebert, R. A., & Gibbons, S. (2017). Exploring mass media for a changing world. Routledge.

Kendall, D. (2017). Sociology in our times: The essentials (11^th edition). Cengage Learning.

Pinto, S., Balenzuela, P., & Dorso, C. O. (2016). Setting the agenda: Different strategies of a mass media in a model of cultural dissemination.Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and Its Applications, 458, 378-390. Web.

Thompson, W. E., Hickey, J. V., & Thompson, M. L. (2016). Society in Focus: An Introduction to Sociology. Rowman & Littlefield.

Click Here To Order Now!

Mass Media in History and Sociology

Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?

We have qualified writers to help you.

We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.

You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)