Question

How does the mass media influence political socialization in America? Why? Give examples to support your claims.

Answer 1

Political socialization is a lifelong process through which people formulate their political ideas and acquire political values. All play a role in the family, educational system, peer groups, and the mass media. While family and school are important at an early stage in life, what our peers think and what we read in the newspaper and watch on television has a greater influence on our adult political attitudes.

Most of our knowledge about politics comes from the mass media: newspapers, magazines , radio , television and the Internet. The average time the American family watches TV makes this the dominant source of knowledge , especially with the expansion of 24-hour all-news cable channels. Television not only continues to influence public opinion by presenting news and commentary, but its entertainment content discusses critical current problems in the political arena, such as drug use, abortion and violence. Internet growth is also significant; not only do all-news organizations have their own websites, but online bloggers also have a wide variety of political views

Press effect is the real power exerted by a press broadcast, resulting either in an audience or individual views being altered or strengthened. Media effects are tangible consequences arising from the influence of advertising or a advertising post. Whether that media message affects any member of its audience is contingent on many factors, including demographics of the audience and psychological features. These effects may be positive or negative, abrupt or gradual, long-term or short-lived. Not all effects cause change: certain media messages reinforce an existing belief