Media theory I: Mediatization and effects - lecture notes
Course code: LJX020B05
Table of Contents
Lecture 1 – Media effects....................................................................................................1
Lecture 2 - The Historical Development of Theories and Models of Media Effects................3
Lecture 3 – Examples of Media Effects Theories..................................................................7
Lecture 4 - Cultural Studies Approaches to the Societal Impact of Media..........................10
Lecture 5 – Media Logic....................................................................................................16
Lecture 6 – Mediatization.................................................................................................20
Lecture 7 - Different Approaches to Mediatisation............................................................24
,Lecture 1 – Media effects
Studying media effects because media influence is pervasive and constant.
Key concepts, terms and ideas:
Algorithmic processing vs. interpretation
Media exposure: physical, perceptual, psychological and attention to media
Information processing: filtering, meaning-matching, meaning-making
Algorithmic thinking
“Media-influenced effects are those things that occur as a result—either in part or in whole
—from media influence.” (Potter, 2012, p. 38)
Characteristics of media effects
1. Timing: immediate vs. long term
2. Duration: temporary vs. permanent
3. Valence (=polarity) negative vs. positive
4. Change: difference vs. no difference
5. Intention vs. non-intention
6. Direct vs. indirect
7. Manifestation: observable vs. latent
8. Scale: macro-level vs. micro-level (level on which the effect takes place)
6 types of individual-level media effects:
1. Cognitive effect: mental processes and the result of these processes
2. Beliefs: faith that something is true or not
3. Attitudes: judgments about something
4. Affect: feelings that people experience
5. Psychological effect: automatic bodily response
6. Behaviour: overt actions of an individual
4 media-influenced functions:
1. Acquiring: media create something in a person’s mind
2. Triggering: media activate something that already exists in an individual.
3. Altering: media alter something that is already present
1
, 4. Reinforcing: media gradually and continually add greater weight to something
already existing in a person.
Macro-level media effects: media effects on aggregate level: the public, institutions, society
or media industries themselves.
-Legal documents that have changed law
-Evidential information
-New information about historical events
-Documents that have brought about political change
Documents that have impact, have brought about changes and thus have a historical, legal or
evidential value.
2
Course code: LJX020B05
Table of Contents
Lecture 1 – Media effects....................................................................................................1
Lecture 2 - The Historical Development of Theories and Models of Media Effects................3
Lecture 3 – Examples of Media Effects Theories..................................................................7
Lecture 4 - Cultural Studies Approaches to the Societal Impact of Media..........................10
Lecture 5 – Media Logic....................................................................................................16
Lecture 6 – Mediatization.................................................................................................20
Lecture 7 - Different Approaches to Mediatisation............................................................24
,Lecture 1 – Media effects
Studying media effects because media influence is pervasive and constant.
Key concepts, terms and ideas:
Algorithmic processing vs. interpretation
Media exposure: physical, perceptual, psychological and attention to media
Information processing: filtering, meaning-matching, meaning-making
Algorithmic thinking
“Media-influenced effects are those things that occur as a result—either in part or in whole
—from media influence.” (Potter, 2012, p. 38)
Characteristics of media effects
1. Timing: immediate vs. long term
2. Duration: temporary vs. permanent
3. Valence (=polarity) negative vs. positive
4. Change: difference vs. no difference
5. Intention vs. non-intention
6. Direct vs. indirect
7. Manifestation: observable vs. latent
8. Scale: macro-level vs. micro-level (level on which the effect takes place)
6 types of individual-level media effects:
1. Cognitive effect: mental processes and the result of these processes
2. Beliefs: faith that something is true or not
3. Attitudes: judgments about something
4. Affect: feelings that people experience
5. Psychological effect: automatic bodily response
6. Behaviour: overt actions of an individual
4 media-influenced functions:
1. Acquiring: media create something in a person’s mind
2. Triggering: media activate something that already exists in an individual.
3. Altering: media alter something that is already present
1
, 4. Reinforcing: media gradually and continually add greater weight to something
already existing in a person.
Macro-level media effects: media effects on aggregate level: the public, institutions, society
or media industries themselves.
-Legal documents that have changed law
-Evidential information
-New information about historical events
-Documents that have brought about political change
Documents that have impact, have brought about changes and thus have a historical, legal or
evidential value.
2
