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13: Mass Communication

  • Page ID
    55196
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    Learning Objectives

    After reading this chapter you should be able to:

    • Define mass communication.
    • Identify key functions of mass communication.
    • Understand prominent theories of mass communication.
    • Understand the role that media plays in your life.
    • Describe pop culture.
    • Identify several key elements of media literacy.
    • Recognize your role in the global community.

    • 13.1: Introduction
      This chapter aims to equip readers with the ability to define mass communication, identify its key functions, understand prominent theories, and recognize the role media plays in their lives. It discusses the pervasive influence of mass communication in daily life, and its capacity to shape perceptions and interactions in the global community.
    • 13.2: Defining Mass Communication
      The text discusses mass communication, its definition, evolution, and impact on society. It describes mass communication as the dissemination of messages to large audiences through media channels, traditionally controlled by large conglomerates. The rise of new media platforms like YouTube and social networking has shifted some of this control, providing alternative voices.
    • 13.3: Mass Communication Summary
      This document discusses the evolution of mass communication as an essential means of transmitting information in society. It highlights mass communication's basic functions such as surveillance, correlation, and entertainment, and introduces the concept of mass-personal communication. Various theories are covered, including the magic-bullet, two-step-flow, and uses and gratification theories.


    This page titled 13: Mass Communication is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Tammera Stokes Rice via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.