Media Theories and Communication Models

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Questions and Answers

Theory begins after testing and helps explain ______.

phenomena

Culture Industries refer to media controlled by powerful ______.

corporations

The Social Model of Disability states that society is generally ______ and non-inclusive.

disabling

Critical Race Theory discusses how race is ______ constructed.

socially Signup and view all the answers

Feminist Theory focuses on gender ______ and studies inequality.

equality Signup and view all the answers

The Transmission Model is one of the common models of ______.

communication Signup and view all the answers

The Hypodermic Needle Theory presents a ______ view of media effects.

deterministic Signup and view all the answers

Harold Lasswell's Propaganda Theory originated from ______ and WWII propaganda.

WWI Signup and view all the answers

Disinformation refers to lies meant to cause ______, intentionally spread.

harm Signup and view all the answers

Settler colonialism involves settlers staying while Indigenous people face ______ or assimilation.

elimination Signup and view all the answers

The Indian Act of ______ defined 'Indian' legal status.

1876 Signup and view all the answers

Communications and media theory studies the power over, or effects of, ______.

media Signup and view all the answers

Behaviorism suggests that all human actions are conditioned responses to external ______.

stimuli Signup and view all the answers

Barry Barclay's concept of 'Fourth Cinema' emphasizes ______-focused storytelling rather than individual narratives.

community Signup and view all the answers

Modern social media models are often profit-driven and focused on user ______ and data commodification.

engagement Signup and view all the answers

Cultural appropriation occurs when settler societies seek to destroy and then use Indigenous ______ for nation-building.

symbols Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theories

Theories emerge after rigorous testing and provide explanations for phenomena.
Genre theory investigates recurring elements in stories to analyze storytelling techniques.
The Culture Industries theory argues that powerful corporations control media to minimize risks.
The Social Model of Disability highlights how society creates barriers and limits inclusivity, which can be reflected in media production and casting.
Critical Race Theory emphasizes the socially constructed nature of race and how popular culture frequently reflects dominant cultural perspectives.
Feminist Theory prioritizes gender equality and examines inequalities stemming from gender discrimination.
Gender Performativity proposes that gender is a performance constructed through repeated actions.
Regulation Theory addresses challenges to conventional media practices caused by growing media conglomerates, digital platforms, and transnational corporations.

Models of Communication and Media

John Durham Peters asserts that communication doesn't inherently possess meaning and argues that technology alone cannot fix communication issues.
Common models of communication include the Transmission Model and the Cultural/Ritual Model.
The Transmission Model focuses on the transmission of information from source to receiver.
The Cultural/Ritual Model (James Carey) emphasizes the shared rituals and meaning-making processes involved in communication.
Peters highlights communication challenges such as noise, misunderstanding, and susceptibility to media persuasion.

The Dream of Communication

Raymond Williams traces the concept of communication to its 15th-century origins, emphasizing sharing and making common.
The concept of communication involves reciprocity and exchange.

History of Communication and Media

The Hypodermic Needle/Magic Bullet Theory (1930s) posits a deterministic view of media's power, suggesting direct effects on passive audiences.
Propaganda Theory emerged during WWI and WWII, focusing on the manipulation of collective attitudes through symbols.
Propaganda Theory, developed by Harold Lasswell, explores the potential of media to corrupt and influence society, stemming from fears of totalitarianism.

Disinformation and Democracy

Disinformation is the intentional spread of lies aimed at causing harm.
Misinformation encompasses various forms, including lies, propaganda, election falsehoods, and rumors.
The rise of technology has significantly altered the dissemination of disinformation.

Decolonization and Indigenous Media

Colonialism involves external powers exploiting Indigenous land and resources.
Settler colonialism differs by involving the permanent settlement of colonists, leading to Indigenous elimination or assimilation.
Key historical events shaping Indigenous history include Confederation (1867), the Gradual Enfranchisement Act (1869), the Indian Act (1876), and the 1982 Constitution.
Residential Schools, operating from 1883 to 1996, represent a dark chapter in Indigenous history.
Cultural appropriation involves settler societies simultaneously seeking to destroy and exploit Indigenous symbols for nation-building.
Decolonization signifies the process of gaining independence and Indigenous assertion of sovereignty.
Barry Barclay's "Fourth Cinema" concept, focusing on Indigenous film, emphasizes features like silence, long takes, use of Indigenous languages, and community-centered narratives.
Contested remediation involves the reworking of old media forms to denaturalize their content.

Communication and Media Theory

Media theory primarily examines the power dynamics and effects of media.
Behaviorism, a psychological theory, posits that all human actions are conditioned responses to external stimuli.
B.F. Skinner's research explored behavior change through reinforcement, highlighting the potential for variable rewards to create addictive habits.
Behaviorism's influence on media studies is evident in propaganda theory, Payne Fund Studies, and market research.
Lazarsfeld's contributions emphasized the limited effects paradigm, focusing on individual media usage patterns rather than media effects.
The Frankfurt School critique challenged the limitations of empirical approaches in comprehensively studying culture historically.
The Uses and Gratifications approach (1940s–1970s) investigates individual motivations for media use and their gratifications.

Modern Implications

Social media models are often profit-driven, prioritizing user engagement and data commodification.
Media effects on children are a complex area of study, with concerns about the impact of media on developing minds.

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Description

Explore various media theories that provide insight into storytelling, societal influences, and inclusivity. This quiz covers critical concepts including Genre Theory, Culture Industries, Critical Race Theory, and Feminist Theory, among others. Test your understanding of how these theories shape media and communication practices.