Communication Theory and Ideology
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Questions and Answers

When evaluating communication theories, which criterion considers whether the theory stimulates new research and insights?

  • Heurism (correct)
  • Scope
  • Parsimony
  • Utility

Which level of study in communication studies focuses primarily on institutions like press, radio, and social media?

  • Macro Level
  • Meta Level
  • Meso Level (correct)
  • Micro Level

Sophocles' quote, 'Language, and thought like the wind,' suggests which of the following about language?

  • Language is rigid and unchanging.
  • Language is solely a product of education.
  • Language is fleeting and dynamic. (correct)
  • Language is confined by physical boundaries.

When evaluating theories, why is it important to consider the 'scope' of a theory?

<p>To judge how much the theory describes and explains. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The text notes that theories reflect points of view. What is the implication of this statement for communication research?

<p>Researchers should be aware of the perspectives influencing theories. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the ideas presented, what primarily defines myth?

<p>The manner in which a message is conveyed, not the subject of the message itself. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key characteristic of myth, according to the discussion?

<p>Its capacity to depoliticize speech, presenting social realities as natural and unquestionable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Denotation is to literal meaning as connotation is to:

<p>Evaluative or associative meanings. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between a dominant ideology and media representations?

<p>Media serves as a site of dispute over representations, where both dominant and oppositional ideologies may be present. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might scholars analyze ideology in media?

<p>By comparing media representations with the 'real world' and observing how movements challenge these representations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following communicative practices is used to represent and communicate ideology?

<p>Advertising, journalism, and public relations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the discussion, 'myth' is best understood as:

<p>A type of speech that presents social realities in a way that supports the dominant ideology. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when something becomes mythologized?

<p>It loses its historical quality and appears natural or eternal. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is the primary function of ideology?

<p>To provide a framework for understanding one's position and the surrounding world by reducing disorder. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes ideology's role in communication?

<p>It acts as a filter by limiting the scope of acceptable alternatives. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the provided information, why is the divergence between language and reality significant to the study of ideology?

<p>It exposes the points where ideological systems must reinforce themselves to maintain coherence. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the provided content characterize the relationship between rhetoric and sincerity in communication?

<p>Rhetoric assumes sincerity as a baseline for effective communication, despite its potential for exaggeration. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a public speaker is asked to deliver remarks at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new hospital, which type of Aristotelian speech is MOST applicable?

<p>Epideictic, as it celebrates and praises the hospital's future contributions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In preparing a speech advocating for a new environmental policy, which aspect aligns with the 'Inventio' phase of speech preparation?

<p>Researching the potential impacts of the policy and gathering supporting data. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A lawyer is presenting a case in court to determine if the defendant is guilty or innocent. According to Aristotle's classification, which type of speech is the lawyer employing?

<p>Forensic or Judicial, centered on establishing facts about past events. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During a town hall meeting, a politician is trying to convince the public to support a new tax initiative designed to improve local schools. According to Aristotle's classification, which type of speech is the politician employing?

<p>Deliberative, as it aims to determine the best course of action for the future. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Althusser, how does ideology primarily function?

<p>By shaping individuals' unconscious understanding and relationship to their real conditions of existence. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Marxist theory, what is the primary role of the 'dominant ideology'?

<p>To legitimize the power and interests of the ruling class. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinguishing factor between Ideological State Apparatuses (ISAs) and Repressive State Apparatuses (RSAs), according to Althusser?

<p>ISAs operate through ideology, while RSAs operate through coercion. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Althusser's concept of 'interpellation' explain the formation of individual identity?

<p>It describes how individuals are 'hailed' or positioned by ideology, leading them to adopt particular identities. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Althusser, what role does 'science' play in relation to 'ideology'?

<p>Science can penetrate beyond superficial appearances to reveal fundamental realities, standing in contrast to ideology. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the concepts presented, what is the relationship between communication and ideology?

<p>Communication serves as a means of reinforcing dominant ideologies through specific strategies. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key element of Marx's critique of idealism?

<p>Idealism fails to acknowledge the material basis of society and the uneven distribution of resources. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the concepts presented, what is the role of rituals in interpellation?

<p>Practices through which we are interpellated, inscribed within the material existence of an ideological apparatus. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main objective of Keynesianism?

<p>To save capitalism from itself by state intervention when the market fails. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Althusser’s theory, why is it difficult to account for internal conflict within capitalist society?

<p>Althusser's view paints capitalist society as a monolithic structure; therefore, there is no space to account for internal conflict. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the constructionist theory of language, how is an individual's reality primarily shaped?

<p>By the specific word choices, structures, and connotations used in communication within their society. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the function of 'keywords' as defined by Raymond Williams?

<p>They are a focused vocabulary used to investigate how language actively shapes and reflects social and historical processes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of communication theory, what is the key distinction between viewing communication as 'transmission' versus 'sharing'?

<p>'Transmission' suggests a one-way process, while 'sharing' suggests a mutual and common process. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Gripsrud's perspective differentiate semiotics from hermeneutics in the study of communication?

<p>Semiotics concentrates on the signs and structures within a text, while hermeneutics focuses on the recipient's interpretation of the text. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Winslow, what is the significance of studying the language used to describe economic inequality?

<p>It reveals how our linguistic choices frame and explain the perceived justice or injustice of economic disparities. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements aligns with the idea that language mediates concepts, reality, and objects between members of a culture?

<p>A shared language facilitates the correlation of concepts and meanings crucial for representation and exchange. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples illustrates the concept of 'materiality of language'?

<p>An email sent and stored on a server. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the example of varying descriptions of an interaction (chatted, spoke, interrogated) demonstrate the constructionist theory of language?

<p>It illustrates how different word choices can shape perceptions and interpretations of the same event. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios illustrates the application of rhetoric, as described by Gripsrud, in the communication process?

<p>An advertiser crafts a message designed to persuade consumers to buy a product. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might a proponent of historical semantics approach the study of the word 'community'?

<p>By tracing the changes in its meaning and usage over time and in different social contexts. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what distinguishes humans from other creatures, like bees, in their construction or creation?

<p>Humans have the unique ability to conceive and plan their creations in imagination before realizing them in reality. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the human body in primary resources of communication?

<p>The human body is essential, for example, voice and hands. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the abridged history of writing instruments show about communication?

<p>Communication has adapted non-human objects. (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is Mass Communication thought of as?

<p>Functional (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what did Karl Marx believe about capitalism?

<p>Capitalism will inevitably generate arbitrary and unsustainable inequalities that pose radical threats to the perception of economic justice. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best exemplifies Gripsrud's (2002) use of 'compassion' in persuasive communication?

<p>An appeal for aid to famine victims that evokes empathy and a sense of shared humanity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The term 'Lagos,' when used rhetorically as described in the content, encompasses which broader concept?

<p>The strategic use of persuasive language and reasoning. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What condition is essential for a syllogism to arrive at a certain conclusion, according to Cohen (1998)?

<p>The premises must be true, and the logical structure must be valid. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios demonstrates the use of an enthymeme?

<p>A friend stating, 'You should get that job, you're really smart,' without explicitly stating that smart people get jobs. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a metaphor function to enhance understanding?

<p>By using figurative language to draw an implied comparison that illustrates an abstract concept. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of rhetoric, what is the primary function of metonymy?

<p>To represent a concept by referring to a closely related attribute or association, making the abstract concrete. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Thwaites (1994), what is the relationship between 'parole' and 'langue'?

<p>Parole is a specific instance or act of language, while langue is the underlying system that enables such acts. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In semiotics, what differentiates a 'syntagm' from a 'paradigm'?

<p>A syntagm is an ordered combination of signs, whereas a paradigm is a set of interchangeable signs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Ferdinand de Saussure's contribution to modern linguistics?

<p>He is considered the father of modern linguistics, shifting the focus to the underlying structure of language. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does structuralism approach the study of communication in society?

<p>By seeking the underlying laws, structures, and conventions that govern how people communicate. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to structuralist anthropology, binary oppositions reveal what about a society?

<p>The deep, underlying structures and unconscious meanings held by members of society. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In semiotics, how does an 'icon' function as a sign?

<p>It signifies through resemblance to what it represents. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of an 'index' as a sign in semiotics?

<p>It has a direct or logical connection to what it signifies. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In semiotics, what establishes the meaning of signs within a code?

<p>The arrangement or context in relation to other signs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Barthes, how does 'mythology' function in a semiotic context?

<p>It reflects the ideology of a specific culture, as studied through semiotics. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Opinion

A belief based on grounds short of proof; a view held as probable.

Criteria for Evaluating Theories

Five criteria: Scope, Testability, Parsimony, Utility, Heurism used to assess theories.

Levels of Study in Communication

Three levels: Micro (Language), Meso (Media), Macro (Culture) used in communication studies.

Sophocles

An ancient Greek playwright known for emphasizing the connection between language and thought.

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Heurism

A criterion evaluating if a theory generates new thoughts or insights.

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Individualistic vs Structural Explanations

Economic arrangements that shape how people understand societal issues.

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Ideology

A framework that helps people make sense of the world and their role in it.

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Language and Reality Divergence

The gap when words fail to accurately represent real-life situations.

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Aristotle's Rhetoric

The study of persuasive speaking and writing by Aristotle.

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Forensic Speech

Type of speech focused on determining guilt or innocence based on the past.

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Epideictic Speech

A speech that praises or blames, often occurring in the present.

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Deliberative Speech

Future-oriented speech aimed at deciding the best course of action.

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Inventio (Invention)

The phase of finding arguments for a speech or writing.

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Myth

A type of speech chosen by history that conveys social realities outside political debate.

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1st Order of Signification

Denotation; the literal meaning or obvious sign of a word or image.

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2nd Order of Signification

Connotation; associations created by the denotative meaning, leading to expressive meanings.

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Depoliticized Speech

Mythical speech that supports dominant ideology by avoiding political debate.

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Media Representations

The portrayal of ideas in media that can reflect or challenge societal norms and ideologies.

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Communicative Practices

Methods used to convey ideologies through various forms of communication like advertising and journalism.

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Everyday Rituals in Ideology

Common actions or practices that reinforce certain ideologies, such as singing national anthems.

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Reflective Theory of Language

Language serves primarily to name objects and things.

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Intentional Theory of Language

Language conveys what an author or speaker intends.

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Constructionist Theory of Language

Language constructs social reality through word choices.

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Materiality of Language

Spoken words use immediate physical resources; written words adapt non-human resources.

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Historical Semantics

Study of how the meaning of words changes over time.

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Common Language

Language that facilitates shared understanding among members of a culture.

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Communication

A social process involving shared rules and customs.

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Mass Communications

The study of how large or dispersed audiences interact with media.

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Grammar in Communication

Grammar acts as an instruction manual for effective writing.

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Semiotics

The study of signs and their meanings in communication.

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Hermeneutics

The study of interpretation, especially of texts.

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Rhetoric

Focuses on the relationship between senders and texts in communication.

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Language of Inequality

Describes inequality as an ideological process, influenced by language.

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Empirical Methods

Techniques used to explain economic arrangements based on observable evidence.

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Cultural Mediation

Language mediates concepts, reality, and objects within a culture.

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Materialism

A philosophical approach emphasizing material conditions over ideals in understanding social phenomena.

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Base/Superstructure Model

Marx's framework showing how economic base influences societal ideologies and institutions.

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Bourgeois Ideology

The dominant ideology of the ruling capitalist class that reflects their interests and power.

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Proletarian Ideology

The ideology of the working class focused on socialist principles and collective interests.

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Ideological State Apparatuses (ISA)

Institutions and practices that propagate ideology, such as education and family.

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Repressive State Apparatus (RSA)

State institutions like police and military that enforce order and control through coercion.

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Interpellation

The process by which ideology identifies individuals as subjects, shaping their identities.

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Keynesianism

An economic theory advocating state intervention in the economy during downturns to stabilize growth.

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Hegemony

The dominance of one group over others, maintained through ideological and cultural means.

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Syllogism

A logical argument consisting of a major premise, minor premise, and conclusion.

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Enthymeme

An informally-stated syllogism that omits either a premise or conclusion.

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Metaphor

An implied comparison using figurative language, not literal.

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Metonymy

A figure of speech using one term to represent a closely related concept.

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Signifier

The sensory impression of a sign, such as a sound or image.

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Signified

The abstract concept that a sign invokes.

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Structuralism

The study of structures and conventions that govern communication.

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Langue

The system of rules and conventions in language.

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Parole

Actual utterances or speech acts in language.

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Icon

A sign that signifies through resemblance.

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Index

A sign that signifies through a physical connection.

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Symbol

A sign that signifies through arbitrary social convention.

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Paradigm

A set of signs that are interchangeable within a context.

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Syntagm

An ordered combination of signs according to specific rules.

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Mythology

The study of semiology and ideology to understand cultural narratives.

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Study Notes

Keywords and Their Meanings

  • Keywords are socially prominent words (e.g., art, industry, media) with multiple and sometimes contradictory meanings.
  • Keywords have both technical and everyday meanings, which can lead to misunderstandings.
  • Keywords are different from the commercial use of "keywords" in online search and advertising.

Challenges in Understanding Keywords

  • Historical Changes of Meaning (Diachronic): Words evolve over time, with some meanings persisting, some fading, and new ones emerging (e.g., faith, gay). Understanding past discourse requires recognizing the meanings relevant at the time.
  • Multiple Concurrent Meanings (Polysemy): Words can have multiple meanings used simultaneously (e.g., liberal in political vs. general sense). Some meanings are vague and require contextual specification.
  • Interconnection of Historical and Polysemous Meanings: Available meanings change over time, making interpretation complex. Identifying the intended meaning depends on context, audience, and speaker background.

Keywords and Social Thinking

  • Keywords play a crucial role in public debate and societal discourse.
  • Words shape our perceptions and articulations of social issues.
  • Meanings are shaped by history, education, and societal values.
  • Understanding words involves more than dictionary definitions; context matters.

Evolution of the Term "Keyword"

  • Raymond Williams developed a critical approach to keywords in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society (1976).
  • His work has inspired further explorations of keywords, including New Keywords (Bennett, Grossberg & Morris, 2005) and The Journal Key Words (Spokesman Books).

Building on Williams' Keywords

  • Williams analyzed keywords through a Marxist lens, examining how words reflect social power structures and how meanings are shaped by ideology and political discourse.
  • The modern digital era has transformed public discourse, necessitating new keyword analysis methods.

What is a Theory?

  • A theory explains something (an event, etc.).
  • It originates from contemplation, spectacle, and mental conception.
  • Theories provide ways of seeing, understanding, and planning.

What is a Fact?

  • A fact is something known to be true or to exist.

Evaluating Theories

  • Scope: How much does the theory describe and explain?
  • Testability: Can the theory be tested?
  • Parsimony: Is the theory simple enough?
  • Utility: Is the theory useful?
  • Heurism: Does the theory generate new ideas and insights?
  • Theories reflect points of view, not necessarily false or wrong.

Levels of Study in Communication Studies

  • Language (Micro Level): Examines messages, talk, and texts.
  • Media (Meso Level): Looks at press, radio, and social media.
  • Culture (Macro Level): Focuses on class, regional, and national contexts.

Three Theories of Language

  • Reflective: Language names objects and things.
  • Intentional: Understanding the author's or speaker's intent.
  • Constructionist: Language constructs reality. Word choices, structures, connotations affect perception.

Rhetoric as a Communication Theory

  • Aristotle's Rhetoric (384-322 BCE): A practice and theory for critical analysis of communication.
  • Inventio: Identifying the sources of arguments.
  • Dispositio: Organizing arguments logically.
  • Elocutio: Using effective language.
  • Memoria: Memorizing and recalling arguments.
  • Actio: Delivering the speech effectively.

Materiality of Language

  • Spoken words use physical resources; written words involve material production.
  • Keywords have changed over time.
  • Language reveals underlying social and historical processes.

Four Keywords (Common, Communication, Communism, Community)

  • Language mediates concepts between members of a culture.
  • A common language allows us to share concepts and ideas.
  • Language involves spoken sounds or visuals (Hall 1997).

Ideology and Communication

  • Media promotes dominant or oppositional ideologies.
  • Media representations are sites for dispute and debate.
  • Scholars compare media representations with real-world movements.
  • Ideology is communicated through language and discursive practices.

Marx's Base/Superstructure Model

  • Marx connected materialism to the uneven distribution of resources and power in society.
  • Ideologies are based within social classes (bourgeoisie, proletariat).
  • Ideological State Apparatuses (ISAs): Educational, family, religious institutions.

Ideology as Communication

  • Ideology functions through ideas and images creating a collective sense of unity.
  • Ideology shapes individuals into subjects via processes.
  • Ideology can be understood as a form of instrumental communication.
  • Successful ideologies are actively lived by individuals.

"Keynesianism" - Welfare State Capitalism

  • John Maynard Keynes was a British economist known for his ideas on macroeconomics.
  • Keynes advocated for state intervention in economic crises.
  • His ideas are relevant for understanding economic theory.

Karl Marx - Labor Power and Mode of Production

  • Class struggle is the engine of history; capital is the amount of wealth used for profit.
  • Capital is produced by surplus labor from workers.
  • Two types of capital: variable and constant.
  • Mode of production: commodities' use value, exchange value, and socially necessary labor time.

The Audience as Commodity

  • Dallas Smythe's theory considers the audience as a commodity.
  • Audience is delivered to advertisers as a commodity.
  • The value of the audience is determined by its ability to generate profit.
  • Surplus value from audiences is critical.

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Test your knowledge of communication theories, myth, and ideology. Questions cover theory evaluation, levels of communication study, language, and media representation. Explore the relationship between ideology and communicative practices.

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