Influence of Entertainment Media

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Influence of Entertainment Media Tabatha M. Lansing HUM/186 8/12/13 Brent Muirhead Influence of Entertainment Media Visual media influences the diffusion or spread of various cultural traits, including food habits, dressing, and entertainment. Different forms of visual media, such as television and films, provide materials from which we establish a sense of selfhood, sexuality, class, and even race. Further to this, visual media shapes the way we view the world by influencing what we consider to be right or wrong, positive or negative, and moral or immoral (Kellner, n.d). An overwhelming majority of Americans agrees that the media are very influential, and that they are harming our nation's moral values. Americans place heavier blame on the entertainment media, but they hold the news media responsible as well. Adults who perceive moral decline in America consider the media the second greatest influence on moral values in our culture, exceeded only by the family (Mass Media (2003). “Among ideological groups, 71 percent of Republicans believe the media are a major influence on American values, as do 64 percent of Democrats, and surprisingly, only 58 percent of political independents. 67 percent of conservatives, 66 percent of moderates, and 62 percent of liberals agree.” (Mass Media (2003).
 Over the years, various forms of visual entertainment media have had some influence on the American culture. Visual entertainment media, for instance, exposes us to different kinds of music and dancing styles. When we are repeatedly exposed to these forms of entertainment, we gradually accept it as a way of life and eventually start practicing the same (Mass Media (2003). Celebrity figures in visual entertainment media also influences our lifestyles, including our food habits and the mode of dressing. Visual media describes such persons
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