How Mass Media Shapes the Thoughts of Americans Essay Example

In America, mass media has been a significant factor that affects the kind of behavior people deploy. In regard, mass media is defined as channels that convey information to a large number of people. It is the primary source of information in most countries across the world. In the last two centuries, mass media has dramatically grown at a high rate. Due to its nature, the possibilities that mass media reach a large group of individuals is endless. In the past, American communicated orally. This method was so slow, and thus, the rate of sharing ideas and skills was too low. Most people depended on storytelling to gain experience and knowledge. In America, the printer was the first mass media. Printer helped to publish books which could be available for the audiences. In the twentieth century, the generation of electronic media was introduced. These media were faster because they could reach a large number of people in a short time (Luther, Lepre, & Clark, 2017). Currently, mass media has moved to another level where information may even be shared online. In modern society, mass media influence how people think and action they engage. Individual perception affects personality values and beliefs. This personality plays a vital role by illustrating the social comparison which later influences ways people thinks. The essay examines how mass media influence the thought of Americans.

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Currently, a large population of Americans depends on mass media as a source of their information. The nature of information delivery has a great influence on public opinions. For a long time, people have developed different arguments regarding certain trending information. They react differently depending on their understanding. These actions impact how people interact with other social and cultural factors in society. Reading literature and other cultural materials have helped people to understand what society expects from them (Engesser, Ernst, Esser, & Buchel, 2017). This has dramatically shaped people behaviors so as to avoid the negative effects of technology. For instance, psychologists and sociologists use mass media to teach people about the social norms and values which are essential in life. Understanding these norms help people to approach social life effectively.

Development of internet has also shaped how people think. Nowadays, most young people like spending their time on social media such as Facebook. These platforms have become a vital source of information. Therefore, people love reading and comprehending what other people are posting on their platform. In most cases, the largest portion of information posted in these media has negative impacts. Instead of shaping people in the right way, they are diverted to negative actions. For instance, excess exposure of nude pictures on Facebook has stimulated a large number of people to engage in early sex which destroys their social moral (Vos, 2018). As a result, it has led to the development of a society which do not appreciate their values. Socially, values are essential aspects which help to integrate with other members of society freely.

Most people in America love watching movies and animations. Video contents have a great influence on how people think. For instance, violent movies increase the tendency of young people to engage in violence. Most of them tend to practice what they have learned from the movie to increase their experience (Vos, 2018). America is one of the countries that give people the right to own guns. Therefore, people may use guns to practice what they have learned. A large number of people have been killed as they try to practice what they have learned. On the other hand, some movie contents are essential in day-to-day life. Some materials are so educative, and thus, people use them to improve their skills, knowledge and also overcome common problems. In the current world, technology is changing things at a high rate. Therefore, people use mass media to learn and understand new innovations around them to ensure they are not left behind.

Music and its lyrics have played a great role in shaping society's mind. Negative impacts accompany the largest portion of the music. According to a study, music has influence people to engage in drugs, early sex, and other illegal actions which destroy social behaviors (Vos, 2018). Most parents are worried because they fear what their children will be exposed when they watch and listen to this music. Application of drugs has influenced people to commit other illegal actions to action such as mass shooting. Music has been used as a good platform where drugs can be advertised. Due to their popularity, most sellers think that music is a good platform that can be used to attract more customers.

Conclusion

In summary, mass media greatly influence American thought based on the content delivered. Some contents have lead people to engage in negative behaviors such as drug usage and early sex. On the other hand, the media has played a vital role in understanding social values and norms. This experience has helped people to overcome common problems which occur in their day-to-day life.

References

Luther, C. A., Lepre, C. R., & Clark, N. (2017). Diversity in US mass media. John Wiley & Sons.

Engesser, S., Ernst, N., Esser, F., & Buchel, F. (2017). Populism and social media: How politicians spread a fragmented ideology. Information, communication & society, 20(8), 1109-1126.

Vos, T. P. (2018). Functionalist Explanations in Media Histories: A Historiographical Essay. American Journalism, 35(4), 490-503.