Effects of Mass Media Worksheet
Write brief 250-to 300-word answers to each of the following:
Questions
Answers
What were the major developments in the evolution of mass media during the 20th century?
In the early 1900’s newspapers was the main form of mass media. Over the years there were many developments in the evolution of mass media in the 20th century. The major developments were the radio, television, and the internet. Radio came along in the early decades of the 20th century. They were considered to less expensive than telephones and by the 1920’s it was likely that most homes had a radio. Radio did something that newspapers could not do. It allowed many people all over to listen to same thing at the same time. Many people tuned in for updates on the war going on at this time. After radio the next form of mass media was the television. In 1946, about 17,000 televisions existed in the United States; within 7 years, two-thirds of American households owned at least one set. (“Media and Culture”, Ch. 1, p.32) Television brought along the ability for Americans to not only hear a certain message but for them to see it also. ABC, NBC, and CBS were the 3 major networks that controlled most of the things that Americans watched on television. After television the next major development in mass media was the internet. The first computers were big and bulky and were mainly used by businesses. Eventually computers that people could have in their home were produced. People could access the internet through the phone lines in their home. The internet became a new way for people to communicate with others all around the world. It also opened up many other possibilities for people like doing research, or shopping.
How did each development influence American culture? The development of radio influenced American culture in many ways. It opened up a whole new way marketing for those who were trying to sell products. It gave them the