Sociological Perspectives on Media and Society | Quizlet

Sociological Perspective

Critical analysis of media's societal relationship.

Media as Social Institution

Media's role within social, economic, and political contexts.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Combines sociology, media studies, and communications.

Media Process Elements

Technology, industry, content, and user interactions.

Structure and Agency

Dynamic tension between societal constraints and individual choices.

Structure

Recurring social behavior patterns influencing actions.

Agency

Individuals' capacity to act independently within constraints.

Historical Context of Media

Media evolution linked to broader social developments.

Nuanced Understanding

Complex dynamics of media processes and their implications.

Push-Pull Relationship

Interaction between social structures and individual agency.

Economic Forces

Influences on media industries and their operations.

Political Forces

Impact of governance on media practices and content.

Media Consent

Reflection of societal realities through media representation.

Totalitarian Regime

Structure limiting media's agency and freedom.

Democracy and Media

Theoretical freedom of media from government constraints.

Media Ownership

Influences content diversity and production decisions.

Market Concentration

Increased ownership leading to potential content uniformity.

Social Structures

Institutions affecting media's role and influence.

Media Influence

Effects of media on individuals and society.

Institutional Relationships

Interactions between media and other societal institutions.

Media Personnel

Influence of staff on media content and direction.

Diversity in Media

Variety of content shaped by market and ownership.

Enduring Questions

Inquiries into media's function and societal impact.

Market Concentration

The level of control held by few media companies.

Agency

The capacity of media companies to make choices.

Deterministic Relationship

Market structure does not dictate media content outcomes.

Diverse Content

Variety in media offerings beyond mainstream expectations.

Independent Producers

Creators of media not affiliated with major companies.

Political Agenda

Intentional promotion of specific political viewpoints in media.

Mass Media

Channels reaching large, often anonymous audiences.

Interpersonal Communication

One-to-one communication between individuals.

Mass Communication

One-to-many communication, typically through mass media.

Socialization

Learning and internalizing cultural values and norms.

Sociological Approach

Studying individual-society relationships through media analysis.

Technological Development

Advancements in technology influencing societal changes.

Social Change

Transformations in societal norms and structures.

Technological Determinism

Technology as the primary driver of social change.

Social Constructionism

Society shapes technology, emphasizing human agency.

Push-Pull Dynamic

Interaction between technology and social forces.

Media Model Elements

Components including technology, industry, content, and users.

Cultural Factors

Influences from culture affecting technology development.

Regulatory Environment

Laws and regulations shaping technology use.

Human Agency

The ability of individuals to influence change.

Complex Interaction

Mutual influence between technology and social forces.

Media Production

The process of creating and distributing media content.

Content Interpretation

Understanding and analyzing media messages.

Audience Engagement

Interaction between media and its viewers.

Materiality

Physical aspects of media influence its usage.

Accumulation of technology

New media adds to existing media forms.

Reproducibility

Preservation and distribution of duplicate copies.

Printing press

Transformed society by enabling mass communication.

19th-Century Innovations

Technological advancements like telegraph and radio.

20th-Century Developments

Refinement of media technologies like television.

Digitization

Blurring boundaries of media forms in 21st century.

Internet

Platform enabling delivery of all media forms.

Interpersonal communication

One-to-one communication, highly interactive.

Mass communication

One-to-many communication with limited interaction.

Blurring boundaries

Internet combines mass and interpersonal communication.

Active users

Users participate in content creation and distribution.

Many-to-many communication

Decentralized network allowing widespread information sharing.

Social media platforms

Examples include Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

User-generated content

Content created by users, enhancing interactivity.

Convergence

Integration of different media forms into one platform.

Oral traditions

Historical communication method replaced by written texts.

Linear sequencing of thoughts

Change in thinking due to written communication.

Commercial industries

20th-century media technologies became profitable businesses.

Interactive capabilities

Features allowing user engagement with media.

Communication models

Frameworks for understanding media interaction dynamics.

Technological determinism

Theory that technology shapes society's structure.

Social constructionism

Theory that society shapes technology's development.

Technological Innovation

Process of developing and applying new technologies.

Idealism in Technology

Initial enthusiasm and idealistic claims about new tech.

Key Players

Inventors, executives, regulators, and users shaping technology.

Utopian Outcomes

Early claims of technology promising ideal societal benefits.

Cycle of Innovation

Ongoing debates on technology's development trajectory.

Media Regulation

Legislation and self-regulation of media content.

Content Regulation

Government control over media for morality and accuracy.

Net Neutrality

Ensures equal internet access, preventing preferential treatment.

Social Media Regulation

Responsibility of platforms for user-generated content.

Global Governance

International oversight of the internet's global nature.

ICANN

Nonprofit overseeing internet domain name system.

Profit Orientation

Media driven by profit generation in capitalism.

Conglomeration

Few companies owning multiple media outlets.

Integration

Combining media companies for production and distribution.

Synergy in Media

Leveraging assets across platforms to boost revenue.

Production Costs

High expenses faced by media industries.

Audience Uncertainty

Unpredictable audience preferences affecting media strategies.

Hit System

Strategy focusing on creating popular media content.

Algorithmic Influence

Algorithms shape content visibility and popularity.

Advertising Regulation

Control over deceptive advertising practices.

Misinformation Concerns

Issues with harmful content spread on social media.

Gatekeepers

Platforms managing content, not just hosting it.

Economic Interests

Tension between media companies and public interest.

Algorithmic Influence

Algorithms shape user content visibility and media popularity.

Diversity and Inclusion

Focus on fair representation of all groups in media.

LGBTQ Representation

Improved portrayal of LGBTQ community in mainstream media.

Framing

Media frames issues, influencing audience perception and bias.

Content Analysis

Study of media content's relationship with societal norms.

Active Audience

Users actively interpret and create meaning from media.

Interpretive Communities

Groups discussing shared understanding of media content.