Media Theories and Communication Models

Study Notes

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.