In order to be susceptible to the media, as individuals, we must have an understanding of not only ourselves, but also the world around us. It helps to guide us in making decisions about our everyday lives including: activities, relationships, etc. The media has an immense impact on Socialization, which is a process through which culturally valued norms of behavior are passed on from one generation to the other (Henslin, 2007). The mass media, as defined by Henslin (2007) is "forms of communication, such as radio newspapers, and television that are directed to mass audiences" (Henslin, 2007, p. 77), is a powerful tool and a vital element among the social institutions. The concept of the mass media and the impact it has on the socialization process may be looked at from a variety of different angels with respect to the different sociological theories that exist. From the functionalist view, I intend on explaining the impact of the mass media on the socialization process.
A segment of a social network
English: A model of socialization. (adapted from B...
Emile DurkheimSociety shapes the individual because we are all products of our upbringings and learn through socialization, what our beliefs are, what we agree on personally, shared beliefs, and the understanding of the "norm." Through our primary interaction with others beginning at home and continuing onto school, college, and work, our beliefs are not always set in stone and can change through time, growth and the interaction with others once outside the family. It seems to me that I would be a Functionalist who views the society as a whole unit that is composed of various parts.
As defined by the textbook, "functional analysis is a theoretical framework in which society is viewed as composed of various parts, each with a function that, when fulfilled, contributes to society's equilibrium" (Henslin, 2007, p. 24). It focuses on the...