adolescents
Discussion # 4
Below are some questions that ask you to think critically about the information you learned in Chapter 12.
Choose 2 questions, and respond. Whenever possible, bring in concepts from the textbook to help you
answer the questions.
1. If one or two people out of a million who watch a particular movie or listen to a particular song are
negatively affected by it, is that reason enough to ban or withdraw the movie or song? Or
should people—even adolescents—be responsible for how they respond to media?
2. Why is it that physical appearance and relationships are virtually the only topics in magazines read by
adolescent girls, but these topics scarcely exist in magazines read by adolescent boys?
3. To what extent is the portrayal of sexuality in television shows watched by adolescents similar to and
different from the way adolescents regard sexuality in real life?
4. Think about advertisements you have seen lately and describe them (e.g., what products, what media –
TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, Internet). What were the messages in the advertisements? How did the
advertisements affect you? Why? What do you think was the target market of the advertisements?
Evidence? Did you end up buying the products? Why or why not?
5. What is one idea or research finding presented in this chapter that surprised you? Why do you think you
reacted the way you did? How has this new understanding changed you?
6. Choose one of the theories of media influence discussed in Chapter 12: Cultivation Theory, Social
Learning Theory, or the Uses and Gratification Approach. Describe an example from your life that is
consistent with this theory.
