Contemporary Popular Culture in East Asia: Mass Society Theory and Frankfurt School

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Questions and Answers

What term refers to a particular cultural image or phenomenon expressed by the process of signification?

Connotation

Myth (correct)

Signified

Denotation

According to K.Barancovaitė-Skindaravičienė, what factor is critiqued for its lack in the theory of language?

Pragmatic factor

Emotional factor

Social factor (correct)

Historical factor

In F.de Saussure's relational theory of language, how is meaning produced?

By mirroring the signifier

By reflecting reality accurately

By conforming to cultural norms

By establishing differences in relation to other objects (correct)

What is the primary function of a myth, as described by R.Barthes?

Promote the values and interests of dominant groups Signup and view all the answers

According to K.Barancovaitė-Skindaravičienė, what does the language NOT simply do to reality?

Reflect it Signup and view all the answers

What is the term that refers to the message conveyed by a certain discourse?

Connotation Signup and view all the answers

"Meaning can be made horizontally and vertically" refers to which two axes as per F.de Saussure?

Syntagmatic and Paradigmatic axes Signup and view all the answers

"Myths and counter myths" provide a double function according to R.Barthes. What is this double function?

Deriving from cultural knowledge and imposing on us Signup and view all the answers

According to mass society theory, what was seen as a disruptive consequence of industrialization and urbanization?

The destruction of village communities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of mass culture, according to mass society theory?

Intellectually challenging Signup and view all the answers

How did mass society theory perceive the relationship between folk culture and mass culture?

Folk culture was seen as authentic and autonomous, while mass culture was seen as mass-produced and promoting false needs and desires. Signup and view all the answers

According to mass society theory, what was the impact of mass culture on values?

It was seen as destroying values Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic attributed to mass culture by mass society theory?

Promoting critical thinking Signup and view all the answers

According to mass society theory, what was the perception of the masses regarding taste?

The masses were seen as lacking taste Signup and view all the answers

How did mass society theory characterize the relationship between the past and the present/future?

It drew a division between the past and the present/future Signup and view all the answers

According to mass society theory, what was the impact of mass culture on moral integration?

It led to the absence of moral integration Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the culture industry?

To create and satisfy false needs in order to sustain capitalism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT listed as an example of a false need created by the culture industry?

Self-actualization Signup and view all the answers

How are cultural products characterized?

They are both standardized and individualized at the same time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between the culture industry and the masses, according to the text?

The culture industry is imposed upon the masses, but they welcome it without realizing it Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the culture industry's creation of false needs?

To promote consumerism and generate profits Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between exchange value and use value, as discussed in the text?

The text does not explicitly discuss exchange value and use value Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of semiology in understanding the culture industry?

Semiology provides a framework for analyzing the systems of signification used by the culture industry Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best represents the text's portrayal of consumer freedom in the culture industry?

Consumers have limited freedom of choice, as their choices are influenced by the culture industry Signup and view all the answers

What should a researcher attempt to look for regarding myths created by popular culture?

Their historical and sociocultural background Signup and view all the answers

What is the example of semiotic analysis mentioned in the text?

Valentine's Day in Japan (Y.Minowa,O.Khomenko, R.W.Belk 2011) Signup and view all the answers

What is the periodization of Valentine's Day in Japan?

1958-1969; 1970-1979; 1980-1991; 1992-2002 Signup and view all the answers

What is the development of gender image in Valentine's Day-related advertisements in Japan?

From masculine domination to feminine empowerment Signup and view all the answers

Based on the images mentioned in the text, what signifiers of modern femininity can be observed?

Assertiveness and independence Signup and view all the answers

What signifiers of modern masculinity can be observed in the images?

Commodification and objectification Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'tomo-choko' refer to in the context of Valentine's Day in Japan?

Gifts given by women to their female friends Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'gyaku-choko' refer to in the context of Valentine's Day in Japan?

Gifts given by men to their romantic partners Signup and view all the answers

What is the central concept of structuralism as described in the text?

Cultural products are dependent on the structure of binary oppositions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Kishootenketsu storytelling structure in Asian narratives?

To provide a comprehensive narrative structure with introduction, development, twist, and conclusion Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, what is a common element in role-playing games (RPGs)?

Objective-based gameplay Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the quote about the daughters of Itoya in Osaka?

It contrasts the daughters' physical appearance with their lethal capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the popularity of certain game genres in Japan based on the information provided?

No information is provided about the popularity of specific game genres in Japan Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the video clips mentioned in the text?

They are used to analyze the narrative structure of Asian storytelling Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, what is a common characteristic of cultural products according to structuralism?

They follow a repetitive and habitual scheme Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of including multiple media examples (K-pop music videos, TV shows) in the text?

To provide context for the discussion of structuralism and narrative structures Signup and view all the answers

What is the key element of the Kishootenketsu storytelling structure?

Shoo - development Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT cited as influencing the popularity of cultural products based on structuralism?

Innovative marketing strategies Signup and view all the answers

What elements are typically present in Role-playing games (RPGs)?

Quests, Skills, Leveling Up, Inventory Management Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the daughters of Itoya in Osaka according to the provided text?

They possess a unique ability to kill with their eyes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an essential element in the structuralism Systems of culture based on the structure of oppositions?

Themes aimed at intellectual audiences Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of mass culture identified by mass society theory?

Standardization and homogenization Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT typically a characteristic of protagonists in Role-playing games (RPGs)?

'Evil for the sake of evil' motivations Signup and view all the answers

According to structuralism, what role does the audience's childishness play in the popularity of cultural products?

It caters to simplistic storylines and themes. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the storytelling structure Kishootenketsu from Western narrative structures?

Kishootenketsu lacks traditional conflict elements. Signup and view all the answers

How do culturally specific contexts influence the popularity of cultural products according to structuralism?

They provide a unique appeal based on familiarity and relevance. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Language and Culture

Langue and parole: system/structure of language and practical language culture as a system
Signifier and signified = a sign
Denotation: literal meaning of a sign
Connotation: cultural or emotional association of a sign
Myth: a set of ideas and practices that promotes the values and interests of dominant groups in society

Semiology

The science of signs: systems of signification, means by which human beings communicate by signals
F. de Saussure's relational theory of language:
- Meaning is produced by establishing difference in relation to other objects
- Meaning can be made horizontally (syntagmatic axis) and vertically (paradigmatic axis)
- Substitution of elements
Language does not simply reflect reality, but shapes what constitutes reality

Cultural Myths

R. Barthes: myth is a set of ideas and practices that promotes the values and interests of dominant groups in society
Originates at the secondary signification level (connotation)
Primary signification: signifier and denotation
Secondary signification: signifier and connotation
Signified: message of a certain discourse

Mass Society Theory

Originated in the 19th century
Disruptive consequences of industrialization and urbanization:
- Destruction of village communities
- Decline of religion
- Absence of moral integration
- Atomization of people
Mass society as 'atomized' society and mass culture as source of ineffective morality

Culture Industry

Mass culture:
- Standardized
- Superficial
- An easy escapism
- Discourages thinking and intellectual challenge
- Democratic
- Destroying values
False needs:
- Social status
- Entertainment
- Emotion
- Competition
- Recognition and rewards
- Coolness
False needs and false solutions:
- Consumerism and popular culture as creators and satisfactors of false needs
- Conceal true needs
The notion of freedom in culture industry:
- Are consumers of popular culture free in their choices?

Structuralism

Systems of culture based on the structure of oppositions
The popularity of cultural products depends on certain structure of oppositions:
- Repetition of a habitual scheme
- Universal themes
- Ideologies determined by the demands of mass culture
- Childishness of audience
- Historically specific contexts

Japanese Popular Culture

Kishootenketsu storytelling structure in Asia:
- Ki- introduction
- Sho- development
- Ten- twist
- Ketsu- conclusion
The most popular PC/console game genres in Japan in 2023:
- RPG (Role-playing games)
- Elements of RPG:
  - Antagonists
  - Protagonist
  - Objective
  - Helpers

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Description

Explore key theories in popular culture studies including Mass Society Theory, The Frankfurt School, Commodity Fetishism, and Semiology. Dive into the concepts of structuralism and the works of K.Barancovaitė-Skindaravičienė. Understand the origins, disruptive consequences, and societal implications associated with mass society theory.