Media Industries and Audiences - Week 1 to Week 6

Flashcards covering key concepts related to media industries, sociological perspectives, and audience engagement, as discussed in the lecture notes.

Sociology

The study of social behavior, society, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture.

Socialization

The process by which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of their culture, developing their sense of self.

Social construction of reality

The process through which individuals shape reality through social interactions, negotiating the meaning of reality over time.

Structure

Recurring patterns of social behavior that influence or constrain choices and actions in a social context.

Agency

The capacity for intentional and undetermined human action, allowing individuals to exercise choice and creativity.

Medium theory

A scholarly focus on the technological aspects of media, emphasizing that the nature of a medium is important in shaping social life.

Technological determinism

The idea that technology shapes society's structures and behaviors, often overstating the influence of technology.

Hegemony

The dominance of one group over others, often maintained through cultural means and consent rather than force.

False consciousness

A Marxist concept referring to a misperception of one's actual social or economic position, which serves the interests of the ruling class.

Gatekeeping

The process by which journalists and media professionals determine which events and information become news.