CHAPTER 15

Section 1: Science as a Social Institution

Section 2: Mass Media as a Social Institution

Science and the Mass Media

SECTION 1

Question:How do the norms of scientific research differ from the realities?

Science as a Social Institution

SECTION 1Science as a Social Institution

Norms of Scientific Research

Realities of Scientific Research

universalism organized

skepticism communication disinterestedness counter-norms

Although many scientists try to or would like to follow

Merton’s norms, reality often falls

short of this ideal.

fraud competition Matthew effect conflicting views

of reality

SECTION 2

Question:What are some contemporary mass media issues?

Mass Media as a Social Institution

SECTION 2Mass Media as a Social Institution

Contemporary Mass-Media Issues

children watching too much television

violence on television

ratings systems and parental controls

advertising targeting children

disengagement from direct social contact

decline in social capital

Internet causing decline in face-to-face relationships

the power of the media; agenda-setting

Chapter Wrap-Up1. What four factors contributed to the rebirth of science

in Europe?2. How did world exploration influence societal behavior

and the growth of scientific learning?3. What forces combined to encourage the development of

the urban newspaper?4. How do age, education, and income affect media

consumption? How have new technologies affected this trend?

5. What functions do the media serve?6. According to conflict sociologists, how does the

knowledge gap help maintain social inequality?7. According to Robert Putnam, how has television led to

a decline in the societal capital?

1. What four factors contributed to the rebirth of science in Europe?

2. How did world exploration influence societal behavior and the growth of scientific learning?

3. What forces combined to encourage the development of the urban newspaper?

4. How do age, education, and income affect media consumption? How have new technologies affected this trend?

5. What functions do the media serve?6. According to conflict sociologists, how does the

knowledge gap help maintain social inequality?7. According to Robert Putnam, how has television led to

a decline in the societal capital?

CHAPTER 15