Week 11 Readings
Sorry for the late post! I think my midterm season seems to have come a couple weeks after everyone else’s.
(Sherlock anyone?)
Anyways, how did everyone’s anti-ad end up? I really liked the assignment and I think if I were teaching media literacy I would definitely use it in a classroom (especially with teenagers!).
On the topic of readings, I (once again) found this week’s readings interesting. However, I actually found more interest in Sterheimer’s chapter than the Harris and Bargh report (article? research?). I have always found the connection between media and eating disorders and obesity really fascinating so I was very intrigued by this section of the book. The biggest takeaway I took was that there are different responses to media depending on the person consuming it (p.204). I think this is a really important point to note when looking at any “affects” of media, from violence to sexuality and now health. I did find Sterheimer’s history of “fasting girls” and the changes in societal perceptions about weight really interesting since I had never heard about most of it. I do agree with her statement that media can contribute to body dissatisfaction but not necessarily eating disorders. I know many of us can feel, after reading the September issue of Vogue for example, not too comfortable in our own bodies. I’m trying to think of ways that we could combat this, but I can’t think of anything that is beyond the individual’s responsibility (i.e. putting down the magazine once they feel uncomfortable, searching for body-positive types of media). I wish there was some sort of anti-media magazine that had realistic and unairbrushed models (men AND women!). I know American Eagle has taken to not photoshopping models for their lingerie line, but I think there should be more than just advertisements that take this approach. Any ideas?
The next reading was the Harris and Bargh study about food preferences and the influence of television on eating. The point they seemed to repeat time and time again (and even tested) was that perceived taste is the most important determining factor for healthy and unhealthy food preferences. How the heck do we fight something that is inherent? Genetic even?? I know they gave some solutions like PSAs, parent-child communication, and reducing exposure to unhealthy message on TV. However, if we are built with a taste preference, how do we change it? I did find it interesting that their study found that the relationship between early TV viewing and unhealthy eating continues into early adulthood (p. 14). I wonder if they did a longer study if the same findings would continue through adulthood and on-wards? Do any of you feel like watching TV when you are younger caused you eat unhealthy? I will say that I think I fell privy to the “free toy” thing, especially if it was for a show or movie or something that I really liked. I mean, who doesn’t want a Hello Kitty watch with their kid’s meal??
