In this essay we will assess the usefulness of these functionalist theories, and look at how it helps us explain crime. One functionalist who tried to explain crime is Merton and his strain theory, the strain theory argues that people engage in the deviant behaviour when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means. Merton explanation combines 2 elements; structural factors- society’s unequal opportunity structure, cultural factors- strong emphasis to achieve goals and weak emphasis on using legit means. Merton uses the strain theory to explain some patterns of crime in society, he argues a person’s positioning in society affects the way they adapt or respond to the strain to anomie. Merton gives 5 different types of adaption; Conformity- the individual accepts socially acceptable goal and achieves it through legitimate means, Innovation- Individual accepts the role of success and wealth but uses illegitimate means to achieve them, Ritualism- Individual give up on legitimate goals but still follow strictly to the rules, Retreatism- Individuals reject legitimate goals and means of achieving them e.g drug addicts, the final type is Rebellion- Individuals reject existing goals and means but replace them with new one in desire to bring about revolutionary change.
In the text “Pictures in Our Heads” Anthony Partkanis and Elliot Aronson both address the influence mass media has on society and how they view the world. They also state that the media sets the standard of what people believe is important. That the media is constantly persuading society to believe a certain truth when in reality there is much more to it. How people will not practice their own knowledge into how the media should present important topics to society. It was in interesting way of putting in perspective the way the media can influence are thoughts.
4. Three moral issues in the story One moral of the story is that some people make political choices based on the media’s political influences. The main moral issue we believe was how it is difficult to interpret a person’s life. People have different points of view and prejudice beliefs and sometimes their account for what happened sometimes
To determine the fairness and impartiality of the Chamberlain case, we need to assess the role of the media, the nature of the evidence at the trial and the police investigation. Assessing these would then show that the Chamberlains did not receive fair treatment due to the inconsistences in the justice system and the public prejudice on society.
When speaking from the personal level, the answer tends to be negative. As to one certain person, his appearance and behavior would probably derive from many factors, such economic situation, religious faith, living circumstances and even a transient frame of mind. If someone tries to judge a society's ideas and values according to a mere handful of people, then the conclusion may turn out to be meaningless or absurd. As the viewpoint fails to stand true while considering isolated issues, it evolves into a valid claim when we promote our discussion from the personal level up to the social level. Karl Marx, the founder of
this makes us question how trustable are news media really if all they want is ad money? Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel worry that “the public sphere” has become an arena solely for polarized debate, not for compromise, consensus and solution” Stewart - problem solving is harder because of news media influence Culture and the Evolution of Mass Communication Culture can be viewed more broadly as the ways in which people live and represent themselves at particular historical times Communication: the creation and use of symbol systems that convey information and meaning Culture: the symbols of expression that individuals, groups, and societies use to make sense of daily life and to articulate their values a process that delivers the values of a society through products or other meaning-making forms rugged individualism Mass Media: cultural industries - the channels of communication - that produce and distribute songs, novels, tv shows, news papers, movies, video games, internet services, and other cultural products to a large number of people Convergence: several overlapping phases or eras in which newer forms of technology disrupted and modified older forms Eras of convergence: oral, written, print, electronic, and digital Oral and Written refer to the communication of tribal or feudal communities and
| Unit 1 SO0752A | Introduction to Crime and Deviance | | | | | “Why is it important to understand what constitutes crime?” | In the 21st century it is important for a variety of reasons to understand what constitutes crime. Not only does it broaden the criminological imagination but it allows you to questions the stereotypical images of crime presented to us on a daily basis through the media. We can also gain a more insightful understanding of the problem of crime. For many crime is seen as an act that breaks the law. According to Tappan’s (1947 p.100, quoted in Muncie et al 2010 p.4) “crime is an intentional act in violation of criminal law (statutory or case law), committed without defence or excuse and penalised by the state as a felony or misdemeanour”.
How and why the world really works and should work. Some conceptions of ideology see ideology as the structure of assumptions which are a representation of the imaginary relation of individuals to the real condition of existence. Ideology creates us as persons, it gives us a sense of being, an existence if you will. Through Ideology people accept or reject the current way of doing things, they understanding or explain what is natural or is perceived as, and accept their role in society. Ideology brings about socialization or is a partner in crime with, and brings about the process of shaping our cognitive and emotional interpretations in our social world.
In this significant topic, John Tomlinson deals with several issues that range from the ideological impacts of imported cultural stuff, to the cultural homogenization process, and also to the cultural autonomy nature. Tomlinson studied quite a number of related cultural discourses. They include media imperialism, the discourse of national identity; the critique of capitalism and the critique of cultural modernity. His findings, as well as analysis, expose key issues, which illustrates the way the establishment of the idea of cultural is different from political and economy imperialism (Tomlinson, 2004). John Tomlinson argues that the concept of cultural imperialism is a result of cultural loss.
Before defining what popular culture is, the concept of Ideology which is a very important concept in the study of popular culture must first be explained according to John Storey’s book “Cultural Theory and Popular Culture, An Introduction”. Just like culture itself, Ideology also has many meanings and is difficult to explain. This is because Ideology can be used interchangeable with culture and is a very important concept in the study of popular culture. Two definitions of Ideology have a link to popular culture are going to be used in this research paper. The first definition can refer to a body of ideas that have been well and clearly expressed by a particular group of people.