Climate of Opinion and Child Star

Child stars have it tough when it comes to the longevity of their careers. Have you ever watched a movie with someone who was so famous as a child that as a result you cannot get past their previous role to enjoy the new one? This happens a lot.

Agenda-Setting Theory

As a member of the general public I have come to the realize that I do not have much of a choice about the news I have access to. The gatekeeper function of the media decides what they want the public to know and what they don't want us to know.

I believe there should be censorship in the media for a number of reasons. The public could be subject to emotional trauma if the news stopped censoring graphic images and stories.

At the same time it is unsettling to know that the government and news media has complete control over the extent of the knowledge I can obtain about current events.

"This Week In Unnecessary Censorships" by Jimmy Kimmel Live

Reinforcement Theory

I am terrified of the open water. The thought of a giant black whole filled with sharks and critters makes me terrified. When the movie "Open Water" came out my phobia became even more real for me. Watching this movie reinforced my fears of the sea proving the reinforcement theory to be true.

"Open Water"

Yikes. I will not be going on a cruise anytime soon.

Two-Step Flow Theory

I found this chart explaining the "Two-Step Flow Theory" for us visual learners out there.

Famous Opinion Leaders:

Barack Obama

Oprah Winfrey

Al Gore

Special Effects in Movies

The Best Visual Effects in Movies

Media Hyperbole

Exaggeration, dramatize, sensationalize of the media.

Desensitization Theory

The amount of violence in the media has a numbing effect.