Create a 9 page essay paper that discusses Critical of the Phenomenon of Emotional Contagion and Media Persuasion Discussed in Aronson. E. (2011) The Social Animal.Download file to see previous pages.

Create a 9 page essay paper that discusses Critical of the Phenomenon of Emotional Contagion and Media Persuasion Discussed in Aronson. E. (2011) The Social Animal.

Today interaction with the media takes on a variety of forms, including television viewership and newspapers, but also the plethora of Internet and social networking sites that have emerged as a means to disseminate news. The emergence of the later has created a situation where events and ideas are increasingly spread with rapidity, affecting and influencing society in ways they never were able to before. Indeed, while most individuals regularly consume and interact with a variety of forms of media, few individuals consider the ways that the media can impact their thoughts, perceptions, and even actions. Review The specific chapter that was considered is Aronson’s (2011) ‘Mass Communication, Propaganda, and Persuasion.’ From an overarching perspective the chapter considered the ways that phenomena take hold in the media and influence public opinion. With this spectrum of consideration there are a number of varying elements explored. One such example, which is largely indicative of the processes explored in the chapter, considers that a movie about nuclear holocaust aired – the Day After. After this movie aired widespread public interest emerged in nuclear war. This process is recognized as emerging in a variety of television programming. Another spectrum of investigation broached in the chapter is the nature of television production. while the issue is specifically linked to newscasts, it clearly extends to all forms of media. Specifically, violence and sensational imagery are posited as assuming greater degrees of prominence over other subject matter as they create public interest. - These elements then skew reality towards sensation. In this sense, there is the recognition that the specific newscasts are not beholden to displaying the news in an entirely objective and ethical way, but instead must display the news that is most likely to gain viewers. The difference between the two is highly substantial as if the news organizations were to only broadcast news in an objective and impartial way there would have to be a dramatic reconsideration of the nature of news and relevance. Instead, television news programming, while having the pretense of objectivity, is necessarily biased as it both reflects the preconceptions of the producers and newscaster, and is geared towards gaining higher ratings. While violence and sensational imagery generally create the most notable forms of gaining viewer attention, it’s clear that news broadcasts implement an entire host of factors in this pursuit. Even as people complain about the news as being overly cynical or pessimistic it is stories of drug trafficking, murder, it is these forms of stories that oftentimes hold the most intrigue for viewers. Even small-time crimes, arrests, or controversies are significant as viewers are able to engage with the trouble their neighbors have gotten in and rejoice and empathize with their situation. Public interests stories, such as charity work or local athletic accomplishments, can similarly be interpreted within this mode of understanding. There is the comprehensive recognition then that television news operates merely as a means of triggering viewers emotions and interests, rather than contributing to any sort of higher public good.