Assignment #4
In “Converging Media,” Pavlik and McIntosh stated that “utilitarianism assumes that the
most ethical action does the greatest good for the greatest number” (Pavlik & Mcintosh, 2017).
Pavlik and McIntosh also noted that one of the principle ideas of utilitarianism is that an action
that may hurt someone or something is “still right if it helps many more people” (Pavlik &
McIntosh,2017). Utilitarian decisions are usually made when sacrifices or bold actions are
necessary for the benefit of some people; even if dire consequences could result.
One real life example of utilitarianism in the news is an incident that happened earlier this
month in Oklahoma. According to Mythili Sampathkumar of independent.co.uk, …show more content…
Although negative consequences could’ve resulted from making that
utilitarian decision, it was the ethical thing to do because three innocent lives were saved thanks
to Mr. Freeman’s unselfishness.
Cultivation theory, which is called “cultivation analysis” in “Converging Media,” is defined
by Pavlik and McIntosh as “a theory of media effects that claims television cultivates in
audiences a view of reality similar to the world portrayed in television programs” (Pavlik &
McIntosh,2017). In other words, watching violent and disturbing content could lead the viewer
to perceive that what they see matches reality, as seen and mentioned in the “mean world video”
from Lesson 4 (Gerbner,2017). However, those thoughts are actually caused by exposure to
those “countless acts of violence” (Pavlik & McIntosh,2017). Due to this “mean world
syndrome,” this is why some people may think that going to public events (like concerts) is
dangerous, or that all Muslims are terrorists, even though those statements aren’t true. They
aren’t true because not all Muslims are terrorists and not every public event gets attacked. People
make those inaccurate assumptions based on what they see on the news, rather than what’s …show more content…
Police have also stated that “at least four people were wounded and taken to the hospital”
(NY,2017). The shooter, who died in the hospital afterward, had been protesting in Washington
lately because of his heavily distraught feelings over President Trump’s election (NY,2017).
How this story relates to cultivation theory, is that after hearing about this event, people may
feel afraid of public events like this one and wonder if they can ever feel safe anywhere.
In an article written by Lindsay Kalter on bostonherald.com entitled: “Kalter: Kids may ask how
safe they are,” Kalter wrote that local psychologists have stated that children may wonder how
safe they are if a Congressman can be hurt on a baseball field” (Kalter,2017). Kalter also quoted
Ellen Slawsby who noted: “Baseball fields are a place of coming together and pleasure. Now it’s
unsafe” (Kalter,2017). Slawsby also speculated if anyone could even have the freedom to
express their political opinions and feel safe anymore (Kalter,2017). Those quotes by Slawsby
not only shows examples of cultivation theory, but also the spiral of silence; “a theoretical
construct that explains why people may be unwilling to publicly express opinions they feel are
In “Converging Media,” Pavlik and McIntosh stated that “utilitarianism assumes that the
most ethical action does the greatest good for the greatest number” (Pavlik & Mcintosh, 2017).
Pavlik and McIntosh also noted that one of the principle ideas of utilitarianism is that an action
that may hurt someone or something is “still right if it helps many more people” (Pavlik &
McIntosh,2017). Utilitarian decisions are usually made when sacrifices or bold actions are
necessary for the benefit of some people; even if dire consequences could result.
One real life example of utilitarianism in the news is an incident that happened earlier this
month in Oklahoma. According to Mythili Sampathkumar of independent.co.uk, …show more content…
Although negative consequences could’ve resulted from making that
utilitarian decision, it was the ethical thing to do because three innocent lives were saved thanks
to Mr. Freeman’s unselfishness.
Cultivation theory, which is called “cultivation analysis” in “Converging Media,” is defined
by Pavlik and McIntosh as “a theory of media effects that claims television cultivates in
audiences a view of reality similar to the world portrayed in television programs” (Pavlik &
McIntosh,2017). In other words, watching violent and disturbing content could lead the viewer
to perceive that what they see matches reality, as seen and mentioned in the “mean world video”
from Lesson 4 (Gerbner,2017). However, those thoughts are actually caused by exposure to
those “countless acts of violence” (Pavlik & McIntosh,2017). Due to this “mean world
syndrome,” this is why some people may think that going to public events (like concerts) is
dangerous, or that all Muslims are terrorists, even though those statements aren’t true. They
aren’t true because not all Muslims are terrorists and not every public event gets attacked. People
make those inaccurate assumptions based on what they see on the news, rather than what’s …show more content…
Police have also stated that “at least four people were wounded and taken to the hospital”
(NY,2017). The shooter, who died in the hospital afterward, had been protesting in Washington
lately because of his heavily distraught feelings over President Trump’s election (NY,2017).
How this story relates to cultivation theory, is that after hearing about this event, people may
feel afraid of public events like this one and wonder if they can ever feel safe anywhere.
In an article written by Lindsay Kalter on bostonherald.com entitled: “Kalter: Kids may ask how
safe they are,” Kalter wrote that local psychologists have stated that children may wonder how
safe they are if a Congressman can be hurt on a baseball field” (Kalter,2017). Kalter also quoted
Ellen Slawsby who noted: “Baseball fields are a place of coming together and pleasure. Now it’s
unsafe” (Kalter,2017). Slawsby also speculated if anyone could even have the freedom to
express their political opinions and feel safe anymore (Kalter,2017). Those quotes by Slawsby
not only shows examples of cultivation theory, but also the spiral of silence; “a theoretical
construct that explains why people may be unwilling to publicly express opinions they feel are