(above belongs to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h4U-uKgn6Q. I own none of it)
The video above was a shooting scene f’rom the show CSI. Such shooting action is all too common on TV nowadays, and such media messages may actually cause audiences to develop a negative view of the world. This concept is known as the Cultivation Theory, where messages in media are cultivated indirectly by the audience.
Heavy viewers (4hrs or more daily) are exposed to more violence and are thus affected by the Mean World Syndrome, which is the perception that the world is worser than it really is. I suppose I ascribe to such a syndrome. Although I’ve never been to the United States, I’ve always held the impression that I’ll encounter street muggers, gangsters, or some shooting maniac if I was there on, say, a vacation. You can’t really blame me too – look at all the American shows on TV! They almost always depict America as a violent place with hedious crimes and shooting-frenzies. Even the video above of CSI showed such violence in an otherwise peaceful town setting. Indeed, many friends (even those that have been to the States) have highlighted to me that America isn’t all that bad, but I still can’t shake off the feeling that some lunatic might just pounce on me with a knife or shoot me just for the fun of it.
Cultivation Theory also suggests that television is creating a homogeneous and fearful populace. I concur – I don’t think I’ll ever want to take a trip to America. How about you? Are you as affected by the depiction of America on TV? Do you ever wonder how you may just end up being stabbed while walking in the neighborhood, or pounder over the possibility of crossing into gangster territory? Are you subjected to this theory? Will you go to a place to America?
Simple.
We always see American shows as “violent” because – it’s just that much more INTERESTING! It’s just the media feeding what the audiences want – ACTION.
Would you rather watch an everyday American life? (I would assume it would be quite similar to most people’s dull boring lives; wake up, go to work, lunch, and home – how interesting. Not.)
So no, I am not that much affected by the media influences, especially not through prime time television programmes.
hey man thanks for your comment!
Well now I do agree on what you said, but only to a certain extent. Indeed, violence has been a core reason for entertainment on TV. However, Singapore is a prime example of creating entertaining (I hope) shows without any usage of guns and such. So, perhaps, America could learn from us?
I do agree that these days almost every single media focuses on all those violence actions and such stuffs (like third party in a relationship etc)..
But dnt you think that you as a human being has an integrity to choose whether you wanna be like em or not??Dnt you believe that we human have a wisdom to help us choose which is ryte and which is wrong?
hey thanks for your comment!
Of course humans are able to discern what is right and wrong. However, they may be deluded or influenced by unsound messages from the media. Subconsciously they may do the wrong things.
Which makes people want to travel, isn’t it? To check if such a place is really “as seen on TV”. Not to mention TV< even newspapers do create a mean world, because technically, no news is good news.
Whenever we see racism occuring in other parts of the world on the news, it also makes us feel that that particular society is racist. However, stepping foot onto these places will make you feel otherwise.
But this doesn't stop people from travelling. In fact, it makes some have a stronger desire to go and explore and experience (certainly not being in the middle of a gunfight). With that, yes, I will want to go to America and soak up the experience.
haha really? Do you really want to explore, say Afghanistan?
I suppose things work differently for individuals. Actually, your point on news… aren’t the issues (such as racism) covered in the news an accurate description of the reality? I would understand if you mentioned fictional movies, but news? How could you feel otherwise on what was stated as fact?
thanks anyway for your comments Shawn
On the other hand, instead of cultivating a negative view of the world, exposure to violence portrayed over the media in an entertaining and glamorised way can also give rise to aggressive behaviours, especially in children and youths. It’s cool to have a gun and shoot. All the more if you’re the good guy and the bullets never reach you. The influence of media violence cannot be understated.
Wow party tart! This is a very good comment!
Indeed we cannot overlook the glamor media polishes on dangerous and harmful weapons and drugs. They often portray the ‘cool’ side of matters, while ignoring the miserable and sometimes fatal consequences that follow.
Thanks!
Talking about Afghanistan. Take a look at this peace effort at http://ourjourneytosmile.com/blog when you have the time
Hi Chervin!!
I thought it was exactly the opposite! – that all too often American films portray their country as a wonderful city but actually alot of bad things eg.violent crimes dirty streets are occuring there. Like what our Sociological Professor said, I guess it all depends on which state/city you go to and the levels of safety in that environment changes. I do agree with you however, that America can be a very dangerous place.
Nonetheless, American films do feed our perception on what America is like, and the same goes for any other foreign film. This is probably because such media are our only window to that foreign and new country. Unless we have been physically there of course. And I do encourage you to visit the States sometime. Give it a chance, it may not be as bad as CSI depicts it to be. And if you are ever in trouble you can always count on the CSI to come save you. Oh wait, again it is a perception fed into us by media means that the CSI will solve every crime and crack every case. Perhaps this is not true?
thanks Rachel for your lengthy comment!
Yup you got the hang of it. Even CSI mislead audiences to think that the police can solve everything. It is not true. Recall the ‘Crash’ movie we watched in Sociology class? it depicts the corruption and negligence of the police. With that, I still can’t rid the gloom and doom of the states!
I think it depends on what show you’ve been watching! I personally don’t quite like action films, maybe that is why I am not repelled by American’s gory violence and crime rates. I prefer catching dramas and documentary and cook shows and it actually makes me wish I was there right now because Singapore is so constricted with limited choices.
But like what you mentioned earlier on in reply to Rachel, about the discrimination in the States, that made me apprehensive about going over as well. Then again, we have to think it in such a way that the naturally will have to exaggerate to capture the attention of audiences. It is not always the case that you’re a Chinese and you’ll probably go through this, should you go over to the States.
Well just for a heads-up one of my professors said the ethnic Chinese are lesser targets of crime. But I guess you were very much right that it depends on what we watch. However I think most films and TV shows from America portray too much of such violence. Still, good point you made
Hi. =)
I think that cultivation theory might not be that influential as there are other factors like culture, which can affect one’ s perception of America. Even though the media portray America in a negative way, some people might interpret the depiction differently and feel that it is cool to live in a place like that. In addition, some might even dismiss the depiction as a form of exaggeration and hence, the cultivation theory will not hold. Personally, I think that America is still remains as a good place for tourists to visit. I think that the cultivation theory is influential only when people subscribe heavily to television programmes.
No!!! You should watch Crash!
Oh well, I guess there is some truth in what you commented. Indeed, certain individuals may feel inclined to travel to America after watching all the exaggerated glamor and coolness on TV.
I think it’s all to do with a combination of your perception and representative heuristic. If you see a lot of violence, then you’ll tend to view America as a violent place. People that have been to Buffalo, NY tell me that it’s a quiet but nice place, but my aunt and uncle who live in Toronto, which is quite close by, tell me that Buffalo is a ghetto town filled with Black gangs.
Sometimes, these movies and the rest of the media serve as a much needed constant reminder of the dangers of society. Better that we see all this horrible stuff and discern our world view from there than to view the world as full of rainbows and sunflowers and teddy bears and we end up letting our guard down. Our biased defence mechanisms are there for a reason: they keep us safe.
Yes I agree with you Russell! Finally! Someone who didn’t paint America with pink bears and what-not! Excellent.
But, you got me more persuaded NOT to visit America. Way to go haha
I think given a choice, I would still want to go over to America and gain some experience. We usually view America as a dangerous place because of what we always see on television or other media and we are receptive to what we see. Hence, your view that America is a dangerous place. However, I guess it depends on where we go and we shouldn’t practice discrimination if we were to really go there so as to prvent any trouble. Afterall, US citizens do have a right to purchase guns to protect themselves!
What?! Your last sentence further discouraged me from visiting U.S. It is because of the whole gun-policy that worries me, what with all the shooting and mugging. You never know! Prevention is the safest measure!
I agree that media plays a big part in today’s society. In fact many a times, media shapes our mindsets and thinking. I personally have not been to the USA. However, drama series and movies have indeed made me think twice before heading for a holiday there, especially alone. Furthermore, not just people viewing these kinds of shows get affected on whether they are safe or not. But rather as mentioned, kids and youths are easily influenced and exposed to all these shows and this could turn out to be a disaster for future generations as well.
However, i also do agree that it does lie with individual perspectives as well. But this would then rely on whether or not a person is mature enough to do so.
Thanks Ben for the comment!
Anyway you’re right. The shows on TV not only deter people from visiting America, it also serves as a bad influence to kids.
I think I will consider going to America, if given the chance. Although I’ve watched quite a number of Hollywood movies that show shootings in America, I still do believe that if precaution is taken, and I don’t travel alone, I’ll get by. So..life skills taught by my parents and institutions overrule that fear. Well, although the movie we watched recently in Sociology class did give me a tinge of fear. It reminded me that people in America are allowed to possess guns. And they could simply use the gun in the heat of the moment. That movie was rather emotion-provoking, so..I guess it was more successful in convincing me that America wasn’t such a safe place after all.
Exactly. Media has made America quite a frightening place, what with the readily-available guns.
I think that the media has done a great job in painting not only America, but the whole wide world as a DANGEROUS PLACE. and I am sorry, but to say that it is true. Violence, to begin with: WHO STARTED IT FIRST? our animalistic instinct, lack of humanity or influence by TV? I wouldn’t really want any deaths to be due to the last reason, but in reality, there are many who have not been able to filter and understand that what is portayed on television may just be a hypothetical situation out of the director’s mind, and that it is a stereotype as to what happens in reality. We see danger coming when we can’t see what is really dangerous: lack of critical examination
But what if what we watch on TV isn’t hypothetical? Maybe it was a critical examination on the director’s part? Oh no!