Maria Elizabeth Grabe
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199586073
- eISBN:
- 9780191731358
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199586073.003.0022
- Subject:
- Psychology, Evolutionary Psychology, Developmental Psychology
The idea that the human brain struggles to distinguish--at least at some level--between mediated and physical reality opened the door for evolutionary psychology perspectives to enter the young field ...
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The idea that the human brain struggles to distinguish--at least at some level--between mediated and physical reality opened the door for evolutionary psychology perspectives to enter the young field of media scholarship. Specifically, this line of thinking is grounded in the idea that the human brain has not yet evolved the mechanisms for distinction drawing. Thus during the initial seconds of exposure to media content, it treats it as real; and the more lifelike, negative, and compelling the media message, the more seamless the equation with the physical world. This perspective, known as the media equation, is slowest to find traction in the specific media subfield of news research. This chapter will pay homage to the pioneers of the media equasion perspective, quibble a bit with them, tackle the place of media in the life history of Homo sapiens, and focus on journalism as a specific area of media research in desperate need of an Evolutionary Psychology plunge.Less
The idea that the human brain struggles to distinguish--at least at some level--between mediated and physical reality opened the door for evolutionary psychology perspectives to enter the young field of media scholarship. Specifically, this line of thinking is grounded in the idea that the human brain has not yet evolved the mechanisms for distinction drawing. Thus during the initial seconds of exposure to media content, it treats it as real; and the more lifelike, negative, and compelling the media message, the more seamless the equation with the physical world. This perspective, known as the media equation, is slowest to find traction in the specific media subfield of news research. This chapter will pay homage to the pioneers of the media equasion perspective, quibble a bit with them, tackle the place of media in the life history of Homo sapiens, and focus on journalism as a specific area of media research in desperate need of an Evolutionary Psychology plunge.
Crime Coverage
- Published in print:
- 2021
- Published Online:
- December 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780190863531
- eISBN:
- 9780190863579
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190863531.003.0010
- Subject:
- Sociology, Law, Crime and Deviance
An emergent journalism may blend the best practices of the Watchdog and Protector models and inspire a more mature journalistic approach. Ethical hierarchies are used to critique current practices ...
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An emergent journalism may blend the best practices of the Watchdog and Protector models and inspire a more mature journalistic approach. Ethical hierarchies are used to critique current practices and suggest better ways. Journalism, hampered by a relatively opaque legal system, is tempted to over-dramatize stories. History and politics help explain a system of clientelism in reporting; a partisan and competitive news media; weak professionalism; and a definition of public interest, which fails to fully embrace journalism’s mission in shaping an informed citizenry. News organizations bear the mark of a press once owned by political parties that weaponized them in ideological battles. This history prevents journalists from readily reaching common professional ground. Serious reforms that ground journalism in public service are developing. Elements of a morality of justice and a morality of care are nascent in current practices and reform movementsLess
An emergent journalism may blend the best practices of the Watchdog and Protector models and inspire a more mature journalistic approach. Ethical hierarchies are used to critique current practices and suggest better ways. Journalism, hampered by a relatively opaque legal system, is tempted to over-dramatize stories. History and politics help explain a system of clientelism in reporting; a partisan and competitive news media; weak professionalism; and a definition of public interest, which fails to fully embrace journalism’s mission in shaping an informed citizenry. News organizations bear the mark of a press once owned by political parties that weaponized them in ideological battles. This history prevents journalists from readily reaching common professional ground. Serious reforms that ground journalism in public service are developing. Elements of a morality of justice and a morality of care are nascent in current practices and reform movements
