Mass Media Influence: What Influences Us?

Many articles and blogs I found about the media were pretty much the same. They talked about the media indoctrinating us and making us want to buy things, act certain ways, and look certain ways. The thing I found the most interesting was a post I found about how the media affected people of different ages and genders. 

It is obvious that we are all affected by the media. I know I am. If I see a commercial for food, I usually want it. For makeup, I always want to look like the girl who wears it. The media is good at what it does. This article explains what certain people are looking for, or basically, how the media influences people. The part I found most interesting was when it explained each part.

It explains, "While men usually find it difficult to hold themselves back in the face of the allure of sexuality. Other subjects which also appeal to men are financial security and a luxurious hassle-free lifestyle. Women on the other hand are more tempted towards products which guarantee immunity from aging altogether and not just what the previous generation called 'aging gracefully". 

Basically, this article is saying that in order to get men to do things, we need to shove sex in their faces. If that doesn't work, they like money and no hassle, which makes complete sense. The media takes what men want and like, or aspire to have, and let them think they can have it. Women like things that make them think they are immune to growing old, or, in other words, looking old and less beautiful.

I think in order for the media to have the effect it does on society, it is important to realize these things. It also talked about the influence it has on children, who are much more likely to be affected by the media. "There is a burgeoning need amongst the youth to be accepted as a part of a group, to be popular, to have friends and relationships with people of the opposite sex etc." This explains that younger people feel the need to be accepted by everyone else, so the media will portray that in its commercials and TV shows. The children who are not the same as everyone else are shown to be ostracized. This makes kids think that in order to be popular, they need to look or act a certain way. I think this article gave really good insight into the mind of the media and shows how well they know society. It also shows why we, as a society, are so easily affected by the media. They know us too well!

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/mass-media-influence.html

Elizabeth Kramer