Effects of Media on Americans

1229 Words5 Pages
Tabitha Biear Professor Wolkowski English 111 Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00 am August 17, 2012 As an American living in the 21st century, media affects us way more than we imagine. We are exposed to it daily, sometimes not even realizing it. It controls the way we think, act, and our way of life. Simple things that we are exposed to every day such as watching our favorite television show, reading the hottest magazine, or playing a video game might seem quite innocent, but in reality, it is an example of how the media can manipulate our minds. The media has taken a toll on our lives, and we have no control of its power. As a result of this control, Americans deal with three major effects on our behaviors: impulse buying, mental disorders, and negative behavior. The first major effect of media on U.S. citizens today is impulse buying. Most all Americans can relate to sitting at home and watching their favorite show on television. During a commercial break, an advertisement for a pizza place comes on showing a delicious pepperoni pizza dripping with tomato sauce and cheese. Suddenly, everyone in the room is now starving and they are all craving a hot, hand tossed pizza. Ironically, no one was even hungry before seeing the commercial but now they can’t seem to shake the idea of ordering one from the local pizza parlor. That is exactly what the commercial was put out to do. It’s introducing an idea or thought to an audience with the hope of making them see it, then want it so badly that they have to get it. A commercial can come on with a strong, famous runner wearing Nike’s shoes. It shows the runner winning yet another gold medal and relishing in his fame and fortune. A person watching this advertisement may all the sudden think that particular shoe will make them run as fast as or be as strong as that runner they just saw in the commercial. The thought is

More about Effects of Media on Americans

Open Document