Framing Questions #2

1. Chapter 5 discusses many early research findings in mass communication.  Some of them can still be applied to mass communication today, but others of them are outdated, or have been proved false.  What do these theories, although falsified, say about communication and our society that makes them still important to understand today?
2. The schema theory states that when information becomes available, a person uses past experience to process the new information as a way to make sense of the complex world.  I can easily see how this would make sense with news and journalism in the media.  How can this theory be applied to other forms of media, for example entertainment?
3. In Schiller’s commodification of culture theory, he states that viewing information as something to be “sold” can explain the simplistic and similar “products” in the media.  I have noticed in the past few years, many media outlets are trying to be more innovative in order to stand out from the competition.  In the modern age, is the commodification of culture still relevant with all of the variety available to consumers?

Tags: commodification of culture, response, schema theory