Response to Arianne Judy’s Week #3 Question #2
The Super Bowl is one of the largest television events in America every year. It draws millions of people to come watch; some for the football, but many for the advertisements. Because of this known attraction to the commercials then, many companies spend millions making ads that will only be seen once during the game, but always make a lasting impact. The reason I believe these ads are so sticky then is because they are in fact, Super Bowl ads. The money and time that is spent on these commercials is astronomical, and the commercials are known worldwide for being some of the most influential in America.
The reason I believe Woodward and Denton bring up the idea that ads must be “duplicated many times” for them to work is because that is the norm. Of course when there are special preconceived notions of the advertisements, they will be sticky without being played over and over, just as those in the Super Bowl. One example I can think of is the new GEICO commercials that all play the same song. Whenever a person who has seen this advertisement repeatedly hears that song now, they will most likely think of GEICO. If, however, this commercial was played just once during the Super Bowl, a time when everyone is waiting and looking out for the advertisements, seeing the commercial once would most likely give the same affect.
In order to create a message that will stick with people, without making them tired of it, is a very hard job. Advertisers work for hours in order to persuade their audience that this is a product or service that they need. Many ads though or not designed to get you to buy, but simply keep the company in your thoughts. No matter what the intent is though, some advertisements will always be more impactful than others. During the Super Bowl we prepare for and take part in the advertising frenzy, and that is why those messages are stickier to us even after one view.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Week #10 Questions
The whole of Chapter 12 involves Woodward and Denton speaking to the idea of ethics and what that means in terms of persuasion. In the introduction to the chapter, they supply many facts that prove that we as Americans have grown unaware of ethical behavior and seem to not care as much as we once did. What do you think is the major cause of this unethical behavior? Woodward and Denton state that numbers among college students who cheat is staggeringly high. Do you feel that our generation has less sensitivity towards unethical behavior? How can we reverse this way of thinking?
Woodward and Denton describe the influence of celebrities in our culture and how at times they are held to a much higher ethical standard than the rest of us. This, however, can become a problem as many do not want to be. One profession that Woodward and Denton mention has a lot of problems with this is athletes. “Interestingly, a growing number of athletes deny any such responsibility. They believe they are paid to play the game, and they are not obligated to accept any other responsibility,” (358). When I read this, one instance that came to mind was the Michael Phelps smoking weed photo. After the photo was released many people were very upset and Phelps came out with an apology right away. Many supporters of his argued, however, that he is just a 20-something year old who was partaking in something that many people his age do. The entire conflict was a media frenzy and in the end was eventually left alone. I would like to know, however, your stance on this. Do you think that athletes should be held to a higher standard just because they are in the public eye? Should Michael Phelps have apologized for his actions and promised to not do it again?
When you think of the name Katie Couric, Barbara Walters, or Larry King you can not just think of them for the simple fact that they are newscasters; they are celebrities as well. In Chapter 12, Woodward and Denton say that this can be a problem for many viewers because news networks use this popularity to their favor. By having certain people report on certain stories and how they use their “talent” can change the way you view the story that is being presented. This very closely can interrupt media ethics because major news companies can affect what you are thinking simply by who is telling you in the information. Can you think of a news celebrity that you see as influential? Do you think that they would be able to sway your thinking simply because it was them? Do you think this is unethical for the media to do?
Woodward and Denton describe the influence of celebrities in our culture and how at times they are held to a much higher ethical standard than the rest of us. This, however, can become a problem as many do not want to be. One profession that Woodward and Denton mention has a lot of problems with this is athletes. “Interestingly, a growing number of athletes deny any such responsibility. They believe they are paid to play the game, and they are not obligated to accept any other responsibility,” (358). When I read this, one instance that came to mind was the Michael Phelps smoking weed photo. After the photo was released many people were very upset and Phelps came out with an apology right away. Many supporters of his argued, however, that he is just a 20-something year old who was partaking in something that many people his age do. The entire conflict was a media frenzy and in the end was eventually left alone. I would like to know, however, your stance on this. Do you think that athletes should be held to a higher standard just because they are in the public eye? Should Michael Phelps have apologized for his actions and promised to not do it again?
When you think of the name Katie Couric, Barbara Walters, or Larry King you can not just think of them for the simple fact that they are newscasters; they are celebrities as well. In Chapter 12, Woodward and Denton say that this can be a problem for many viewers because news networks use this popularity to their favor. By having certain people report on certain stories and how they use their “talent” can change the way you view the story that is being presented. This very closely can interrupt media ethics because major news companies can affect what you are thinking simply by who is telling you in the information. Can you think of a news celebrity that you see as influential? Do you think that they would be able to sway your thinking simply because it was them? Do you think this is unethical for the media to do?
Week #9 Questions
In Chapter 8, Woodward and Denton describe different types of Compliance-Seeking Messages in order for people to comply with one’s wishes. They state that the most popular form of this is Direct Request. “Responding to a friend or boss is different than responding to a total stranger. In addition, the size or magnitude of the request impacts compliance,” (193). Being able to ask a direct request of someone can be quite a chore, especially as the request gets larger as Woodward and Denton point out. Why then is this the most popular form of Compliance-Seeking Messages? With many other to chose from, you would think that humans would go for a much more rationale or protective form of seeking compliance. Which form introduced in the book do you use most? Do you generally find this to be affective?
When reading about conflict in Chapter 8, it was interesting to read about the research that has been done according to men and women with conflict resolution. We all seem to see conflict between men and women in the media, but the results of that seem to vary from that which the studies prove. “In an extensive examination of sex differences, researchers found more similarities than differences in the conflict behaviors of men and women. Areas of similarity included: positive affect behavior, influence strategies, autocratic behavior, democratic behavior, communication, facilitation, and leader emergence,” (205). Why do you think that the media vary so much from the truth? Describe a time that you have seen conflict between a man and a women in the media and how it is different from the above results.
Woodward and Denton speak a lot about selling yourself in Chapter 8; especially in an interview. They say that it is very much about not only the interviewer but the interviewee as well. “Without such an exchange, participants sacrifice power, control, and personal motives. This perspective recognizes that each participant in an interview has a purpose, and each must prepare for the encounter accordingly,” (222). Tell us about a time when you had an interview and the role of not only you, but your interviewer as well. Was the communication flowing fairly or did one person seem to control the whole situation? What was the result of this interview?
When reading about conflict in Chapter 8, it was interesting to read about the research that has been done according to men and women with conflict resolution. We all seem to see conflict between men and women in the media, but the results of that seem to vary from that which the studies prove. “In an extensive examination of sex differences, researchers found more similarities than differences in the conflict behaviors of men and women. Areas of similarity included: positive affect behavior, influence strategies, autocratic behavior, democratic behavior, communication, facilitation, and leader emergence,” (205). Why do you think that the media vary so much from the truth? Describe a time that you have seen conflict between a man and a women in the media and how it is different from the above results.
Woodward and Denton speak a lot about selling yourself in Chapter 8; especially in an interview. They say that it is very much about not only the interviewer but the interviewee as well. “Without such an exchange, participants sacrifice power, control, and personal motives. This perspective recognizes that each participant in an interview has a purpose, and each must prepare for the encounter accordingly,” (222). Tell us about a time when you had an interview and the role of not only you, but your interviewer as well. Was the communication flowing fairly or did one person seem to control the whole situation? What was the result of this interview?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Week # 8 Response
Response to Jamie Peterson’s Question #1:
When I go to the store and look at all the items, it is impossible not too think of all the advertisements I have seen for those items. Whether it is commercials, ads in the paper, or billboards, the communication of that product that is spread to me is imprinted in my head. But now, do I buy the product? For myself, usually no. While you may be thinking then that I would say that advertisements do not affect us, that is not the case. I believe that advertisements affect us more beyond our comprehension, but what affects us more is our lifestyle.
Take this scenario for example: say that I am looking for cereal and I want something in the family of Fruit Loops. I would walk over to that section of the aisle and look at my options. By having this sentence in my answer, advertisers have already done their part. The moment I mentioned Fruit Loops, your mind most likely imagined a red box with a blue toucan on it in some kind of wacky scene. However, what I would buy is not the brand name Fruit Loops, but most likely the cheapest brand that I think looks the closest to Fruit Loops.
Because of my lifestyle, I cannot afford to buy the most expensive kind of cereal, but what the advertisers can count on is that when I am older and have the funds, I will buy their breakfast food in the red box. Advertisers do not simply want you to buy the items, they want you to think of the item. If they have done their job right they have not just persuaded you to buy their item (which is always a plus), but actually have made you think about their item.
So going back the original question, I would say I do not think that anyone can really say that they are not affected by advertisements. While they think they are not because their lifestyle does not allow them to purchase and do the things that they think advertisers want them to do, they actually are quite engrossed in the persuasion process.
When I go to the store and look at all the items, it is impossible not too think of all the advertisements I have seen for those items. Whether it is commercials, ads in the paper, or billboards, the communication of that product that is spread to me is imprinted in my head. But now, do I buy the product? For myself, usually no. While you may be thinking then that I would say that advertisements do not affect us, that is not the case. I believe that advertisements affect us more beyond our comprehension, but what affects us more is our lifestyle.
Take this scenario for example: say that I am looking for cereal and I want something in the family of Fruit Loops. I would walk over to that section of the aisle and look at my options. By having this sentence in my answer, advertisers have already done their part. The moment I mentioned Fruit Loops, your mind most likely imagined a red box with a blue toucan on it in some kind of wacky scene. However, what I would buy is not the brand name Fruit Loops, but most likely the cheapest brand that I think looks the closest to Fruit Loops.
Because of my lifestyle, I cannot afford to buy the most expensive kind of cereal, but what the advertisers can count on is that when I am older and have the funds, I will buy their breakfast food in the red box. Advertisers do not simply want you to buy the items, they want you to think of the item. If they have done their job right they have not just persuaded you to buy their item (which is always a plus), but actually have made you think about their item.
So going back the original question, I would say I do not think that anyone can really say that they are not affected by advertisements. While they think they are not because their lifestyle does not allow them to purchase and do the things that they think advertisers want them to do, they actually are quite engrossed in the persuasion process.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Week #7 Response
Response to Gina Kim’s Question #1
In her blog, Gina Kim discusses the issue of belief that Woodward and Denton discuss in the beginning of chapter 6. She describes that Woodward and Denton define a belief as something we know to be true or false, and that most people would agree with this statement. As Woodward and Denton continue, however, they say that one belief will not always hold true forever. The more we learn about a certain subject, the more we may change our beliefs about it. Gina poses the question then if more knowledge is the cause of this. What is the real reason that we change our beliefs? I would say it is because of a growth of knowledge. By learning more about things, it is impossible for your perceptions to not change.
As Woodward and Denton put it, “Life events may greatly influence the ordering or reordering of beliefs relevant to an issue,” (Woodward and Denton, 135). And I would agree. In relationship to Gina’s question, life events are knowledge that will sway belief. One of the best places to see this is in college. There are beliefs that my parents held and while living at home I “believed” the same thing. Then when I came to college and interacted with people different than my friends and family at home, I got to experience new things and some of my beliefs were changed. This experience happens to many college students, and is why most college students “change” once they leave home.
I think one important thing to point out, however, is that beliefs can also be reaffirmed this way. Knowledge does not always mean a positive change, but negative changes as well. For example, if I person believed that a certain neighborhood was dangerous and was mugged in that same neighborhood, their beliefs would just be reaffirmed. This new “knowledge” that they received from that neighborhood has made them change their beliefs most likely to think that they neighborhood is even more dangerous than once before.
Beliefs can be a very sensitive subject for many because it is what many would describe as their core. As Woodward and Denton describe, “Deeply held beliefs become core values,” (Woodward and Denton, 133). And while many profess that they are not willing to change their core values for anything or anyone, I believe that is impossible. While there many not be some large transformation, as they live and learn, their priorities will begin to change and some beliefs will become less important than others. Everyday as we live our lives we are changing our beliefs, and to me, that is a healthy way to live.
In her blog, Gina Kim discusses the issue of belief that Woodward and Denton discuss in the beginning of chapter 6. She describes that Woodward and Denton define a belief as something we know to be true or false, and that most people would agree with this statement. As Woodward and Denton continue, however, they say that one belief will not always hold true forever. The more we learn about a certain subject, the more we may change our beliefs about it. Gina poses the question then if more knowledge is the cause of this. What is the real reason that we change our beliefs? I would say it is because of a growth of knowledge. By learning more about things, it is impossible for your perceptions to not change.
As Woodward and Denton put it, “Life events may greatly influence the ordering or reordering of beliefs relevant to an issue,” (Woodward and Denton, 135). And I would agree. In relationship to Gina’s question, life events are knowledge that will sway belief. One of the best places to see this is in college. There are beliefs that my parents held and while living at home I “believed” the same thing. Then when I came to college and interacted with people different than my friends and family at home, I got to experience new things and some of my beliefs were changed. This experience happens to many college students, and is why most college students “change” once they leave home.
I think one important thing to point out, however, is that beliefs can also be reaffirmed this way. Knowledge does not always mean a positive change, but negative changes as well. For example, if I person believed that a certain neighborhood was dangerous and was mugged in that same neighborhood, their beliefs would just be reaffirmed. This new “knowledge” that they received from that neighborhood has made them change their beliefs most likely to think that they neighborhood is even more dangerous than once before.
Beliefs can be a very sensitive subject for many because it is what many would describe as their core. As Woodward and Denton describe, “Deeply held beliefs become core values,” (Woodward and Denton, 133). And while many profess that they are not willing to change their core values for anything or anyone, I believe that is impossible. While there many not be some large transformation, as they live and learn, their priorities will begin to change and some beliefs will become less important than others. Everyday as we live our lives we are changing our beliefs, and to me, that is a healthy way to live.
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