Tuesday, 30 May 2017

How are we influenced?

How, in our society. are we influenced by our media, advertisements, and other forms of propaganda we are constantly bombarded by? What influences the way you see the world?


One of the ways media, ads, and other propaganda can influence us is by repetition. You know those commercials that play all the time on TV? That is an example of ads constantly shoving itself in our faces, playing on our subconscious and conscious mind slowly until you get the song from the commercial in your head. Advertisements can use popular or famous music to provoke memories (for example, a commercial might use an 80's hit for its soundtrack, or if a politician uses a popular song to end a speech, which might make someone think "Hey, I remember this song"). It influences our decisions by deciding and pushing the perceived norm. For example, an advertisement that plays constantly can have people spraying each other with a hose, because they look like they're having fun, which might make people subconsciously or consciously think "That looks fun, let me try". This can be used to make someone buy another one of their products as well, even if the ad is for another product, or if a politician is trying to make a statement, product placement might be used. Emotion provoking can affect the way we see the world. War, murder, and other disturbing footage can easily make someone think "Wow, the world is really screwed up and i'm ashamed of the human race" and amazing footage and happy things can make someone think "The world is an awesome place and i'm happy to be apart of the human race". Governments can do either one of these to shape how we see ourselves and everyone else, and get people to change their way of living.

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