Does media influence our thinking?

When girls keep on reading fashin magazines and TV shows, or even about politics and religion... it changes their way of thinking, right? are we who we are because of the things we watch and the people we see on TV?..does control our mentality? do we believe in something just because others do?

i think individuality only exists within our minds.. as our thoughts are the only thing that can't be truly affected. Sure we may join some group or community that affects our thinking but its how we think about things that makes us unique.

I think Media nowadays plays a an influential part in our lives in every aspect of life. It controls people, well I should say some people. Some use in a positive way, unlike other.

For example, a decade ago Media was so influential in people's lives in US, I bet still is with less effect. People now aware of everything and they do not necessarily believe everything the Media says.

Whoever had been in US years ago would say that americans believed anything ever so easily.

TV entertains us the most as much as Computers do nowadays and I cannot see a house without TV or even a room. If goods come out of TV, why would not somebody benefit from that?

I believe in this life, nothing is bad. What bad is is that how people misuse anything in any way.

When I sit in front of a TV, I welcome everything by all means; when I leave, I leave the bad things behind.

Wonderful post.

yeah thats for sure the media influance our thinking. and alot of people get influanced negativley and the effect of it will show later on

every1 is born with a different brain & a certain way of thinking, however u cant say tht ur brain type is the only thing tht makes u wut u r... a person's personality is shaped by many factors, u cant just limit it to 1. aside from ur basic instincts, other things tht play a role in moulding ur persona r the the environment tht u'r brought up in or live in, the experinces u have, the ppl u talk 2, the general character of the time u live in, etc...

to answer ur questions, every1 is different therefore they would react 2 things differently, so magazines & tv make affect the thoughts of certain ppl whilst others would just dismiss them or r able 2 distinguish between reality & virtuality, & can stay grounded no matter wut the media throws @ them. ppl with a strong opinion/curiosity/independence dont always believe something just because the rest of the world believe it, they would search, ask questions & state opinions of their own even if they'r against every1 else.

its a huge world with gr8 diversity, so many different minds thinking in infinite different ways. i guess wut im trying 2 say is tht with such a wide spectrum of thoughts, ideas & opinions, u cant expect every1 2 be influence in the same way by the same things :)

Sure we are influenced by the media and by what we see around us to a certain degree, but the specific things that attract us in media and culture are also expressions of our individuality. Someone might respond to one type of music, or become a fan of one magazine, and someone else would go for another. These choices and likes and dislikes are all a little glimpse of everyone's personality.

Plus I don't think that if you succumb to media's influence that would compromise your individuality in any way. :)

the way we are influanced by media is enough to show you that individuality does exist.
media doesn't affect us all the same way..why?

i guess that's where individuality takes place

I think people do be influance with what they see/hear around them .. in a way or other it has it's affect ..BUT

It differe from person to other in accepting that change and it's affect on person personality !

I think individuality exist through our respons to the media influance !

Does media influence our thinking?
Very...Infact, i was really surprise of the extent the media can affect ppl's views on things around them...

ummm .. media DOES play a big part n the way we think nowadays .. and it has its both good and bad sides .. good in a way .. when your talking to the person you can see that the person is making sense and seems to know more and bad in a way that we are moving further away from our culture ..

I suppose so in some way. I just watched bbc panorama a few hrs ago abt women's biological clock and fertility, and it made me realise I better start having children asap and have all of them before the age of 35. Before watching that programme this morning, I was all focused on my career and wasn't thinking of having children till late my very late 20s/early 30s. :shut:

I think individuality exists, because what the media, your parents, your social group, your studies offer you are a range of ideas and opinions. It doesn't force these contradictory ideads and opinions on you, you choose what to follow. In that essence individuality exists. :shy: :cute: For instance, fashion tells me that the hottest thing is the mini skirt, it's all over the magazines and on TV. Religion and tradition says otherwise. You, have a choice to choose which to follow.

Again it is said the environment that you live in effect your daily life and the media makes it better or worse ...

So, if it affects it to a certain point...does that mean we don't think for ourselves most of the time? we just get affected ?

I think in a way there isnt induvidualty, most people are unsure of themselves and have no self confidence - so they follow others (the whole peer pressure thing)...whereas somepeople are strong enough to be able to stay away from media influences and the influences of others. I think perhaps 1% of the population are induvidualistic - the rest just follow what everybody else does.

I think the media has measurable impacts or effects on us...howver we can't solely credit the media for our actions/ideas/opinions/attitude. In my simple opinion, if you own a television ,know how to use a remote control, pick which movies you want to watch, read parts of the paper that you like...then you are in everyway an autonomous individual. What more if you write back to the editor,post messages in forums, call up djz on radio stations...then you are in everyway an "active" audience- free from the notion that the media controls ,standardizes or influences!

I hope I made sense...