A History of Media Effects Theory

After reading this article I have become very intrigued by the history of media effects.

• We can note that a lot of things have changed over time and while some still remain the same, they have just had some updating. It is said that back in the day, going to the movies was a giant leisure activity and while movie watching is still a phenomenon, the media industry has boomed by the creation of netflix, hulu, hob, and more. Movie theatres have been seeing much less traffic due to these new platforms of streaming. Currently, movies that are supposed to be in theatres right now are being released on the HBO platform.
• I found the Payne FundStudies significantly interesting because of how true this is and on page 59, it is stated that “The Payne Fund Studies played a huge role in the development of the study of media effects” and “helped to establish a legacy of fear-widespread beliefs that the media were dangerous and that the effects of media messages might pervert and upset the proper social order” which is what I was wanting to talk about even more today. For example, think about everything that has happened in the year 2020. The biggest event: Covid-19 and the happening of a worldwide pandemic. What made this pandemic even worse? the media, which is why a lot of higher ups were wanting to keep it hush-hush for awhile…because of what you could say, the Payne Fund studies. What is put in the media can often send individuals into an absolute panic and this is my artifact because a lot of what we see can be fake news and there was by far more of it than ever seen when it came to the Corona Virus. all of a sudden, everyone on social media thought they were Doctors.
• Another part in the history of media effects is the cause that is has on teens and phone time. Right now we are seeing more media and screen time than ever before. Things are accessible right at our fingertips at all hours of the day and according to study box 3–1, media is drastically affecting our sleep schedule.
• Lastly, I want to talk about in 1917-Propoganda in World War I. Engaging in public relations back then was all about what was put in posters hung on the streets, newspapers, magazines, etc. In this paragraph in Sparks’ research it is said that “Wartime propganda sensitized the public to the fact that mass media might be used to influence public opinion on a large scale.” Isn’t it fascinating that this is where it all began? All because we had to keep people in the loop about the war? Surely, we have come a long way and while we still have newspapers and magazines, with just the opening of a laptop and a quick google search, you can find out everything you need to know. But, if you think about it, back then with the dangers and sensitive times of the war, this would have been detrimental. A big difference, but also a simililarity to this propganda is that we still see today that people put up posters to get a word out even if it about an event or notifying the neighborhood that there is a lost dog.
• It is important to note that while a lot of this research dates back to many years ago, a lot of it is still true and relevant, there is just technological advances and instead of seeing an advertisement of a new food item or fast food chain in a newspaper (which we still do see), you can see them multiple times a day on your computer and tv screen or even on an ad when browsing on youtube. We see hundreds of advertisements a day without knowing it. People today can even advertise who they are voting for with a sign out in their front yard. It was all around us then and it still is today.