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?
One of the major developments the evolution of mass media was during the 1920’s with the invention of the radio. It was cheaper than a telephone and allowed listeners by the millions to tune into live broadcast all over the United States. It also contributed to the explosion of consumerism, with sales in clothing, food and household items. This source of media opened the door to evolving into newer, more powerful technologies. During the time of WWII, the invention of the television made its debut into the homes of many United State citizens – 17,000 televisions were said to have existed in the USA by 1946 and eventually, 2/3 of the American home owners had one television set, at least. The spread of the mass media influenced the nation’s growing economy throughout the 1950’s – 1960’s. As time and technology progressed during the 1980’s – 1990’s, the reveal of cable television opened the American viewers to a wider variety of television access. Also giving other television networks the freedom to broadcast subjects they felt the average American would want based on viewer preferences. In the late 1990’s the invention of the VCR gave the American family the ability to record, pause and stop live television broadcasts, which was a progression I think for the working homeowners.
How did each development influence American culture?
The evolution of technology in the mass media has influenced the development of American culture in both positive and negative ways. The radio was the start of a great source of media for the working class people, and it was the starting influence to consumerism in America. The Great Depression was the massive downfall to the economy in 1930’s, which was the result of the early boom in consumerism. By