1. Section 1: Science as a Social Institution
CHAPTER 15
Science and the Mass Media
Section 1: Science as a Social Institution
Section 2: Mass Media as a Social Institution

2. SECTION 1
Science as a Social Institution
Question:
How do the norms of scientific research differ from the realities?

3. Science as a Social Institution
SECTION 1
Science 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

4. Question: What are some contemporary mass media issues? SECTION 2
Mass Media as a Social Institution
Question:
What are some contemporary mass media issues?

5. Contemporary Mass-Media Issues
SECTION 2
Mass 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

6. Chapter Wrap-Up CHAPTER 15
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?