THE SUMMARY OF THE MEDIA & SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

Group 6:

Ertati Siringoringo

Hotnida Mangunsong

M. Fauzi Arrasyid

Neltza Sister Siregar Sormin

Rahmat Hafis Rifaldi

Lecturer:

Dra. Sorta Hutahaean, M.Pd

Course:

American Culture

English Literature

Faculty Of Humanities

University Of Lancang Kuning

2019/2020
CONTENTS

CHAPTER 9 THE MEDIA ....................................................................................................... 1

WHAT IS AMERICAN ABOUT THE AMERICAN MEDIA? ........................................... 1

AMERICANS' VIEWS OF THEIR MEDIA ......................................................................... 2

MISCONCEPTIONS THE MEDIA PROMOTE .................................................................. 3

SUGGESTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS ....................................................... 4

CHAPTER 10 SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP ............................................................................... 5

MEETING NEW PEOPLE .................................................................................................... 5

THE AMERICAN CONCEPT OF FRIENDSHIP ................................................................ 5

RELATIONSHIPS PRESCRIBED BY ROLES ................................................................... 7

COURTESY, SCHEDULES, GIFTS .................................................................................... 7

SUGGESTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS ....................................................... 9

 CHAPTER 9 THE MEDIA

WHAT IS AMERICAN ABOUT THE AMERICAN MEDIA?

The U.S. America media mirror the values and assumptions of most Americans. Among
them:

• Admiration for the individual who disregards other people’s opinions and does what he
or she wants to do
• Admiration for the individual who somehow outwits or bests the establishment or the
authorities
• A faith that good will triumph over evil
• Glorification of people who are young and physically attractive
• Glorification of people who earn large amounts of money or who have acquired
impressive quantities of material goods
• A fixation on the action-filled life, as opposed to the contemplative one
• A bias toward the concrete (for example, “reality TV”) over the abstract or analytical
• A need for what may seem like speed and efficiency, with fast-moving advertisements
and dialogue, text “crawling” across the bottom of a screen, and several things
happening on the screen at once

Characteristics of contemporary American life that many foreigners find frustrating or

even objectionable are also conveyed—perhaps in an exaggerated form—through most of the
media:
1. a lack of intellectual depth;
2. a greater concern for appearance than for substance;
3. a fixation on sex;
4. a strong interest in violence;
5. a superficial and parochial news and commentary, with little in-depth analysis of
developments in other countries; and

A fascination with computer-generated special effects and with “gadgets” or new

technological devices that enable people to do things with less effort. There is also the
common perception of the (mis)use of media as a vehicle of propaganda. Traditionally, media
were considered to be leftist or liberal, though more right-wing programming and publication
has recently gained popularity. And regardless of bent, it is generally accepted that the media
are used by the wealthy and powerful to control the opinions of the gullible public.

It's also a consideration that the American media are run as businesses, and driven by
competition and profit. A diminishing number of large corporations control traditional media
and entertainment: television, radio, newspapers, and the production and distribution of
recorded entertainment. As such, media companies are constantly in pursuit of audiences and
buyers, which is a counterbalance to the perception of oligarchic power - in that the content is
tailored to suit the tastes of the masses - but which in turn brings the criticism of catering to
low and vulgar tastes of the unsophisticated masses.

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It is also noted that journalistic programming follows the same path toward pandering to the
tastes and preferences of a given market. Few Americans accept the notion that "the news" is
unbiased and objective, though many suggest that this is a change from an earlier time when
the news could be trusted.

Another significant factor is the segmentation of the market, which is particularly evident in
television, but is also true of other media. Producers and distributors gear not only programs,
but entire channels, to specific subjects of interest or specific subsets of the population. There
are channels devoted to news, sports, weather, cooking, history, movies, etc. There are
channels directed to children, teenagers, women, gay and lesbian, and specific ethic groups.
On average, American household receives nearly 120 television channels. i n the music
industry, producers select and promote artists that appeal to specific groups and the practice
of "manufacturing" a band to suit a specific demographic (particularly, preteen girls) is a
common practice. Radio stations likewise target specific audiences defined by age, race,
language, level of education, and other parameters.

The print media also play to a segmented market. In terms of newspapers, most major cities
have two or more that target specific groups, generally by political perspective, and the same
is true of national or regional newspapers. Magazines are segmented similar to television
channels. But to a greater degree and wider variety: publications may be geared to suit a very
specific interest and market segment.

The Internet, particularly the Web, is generally perceived as the most democratic of media in
which common people publish content according to their own idiosyncratic interests. Some
operate home pages or web sites, many participate in social media, and an increasing amount
of social contact is made through the electronic proxy.

However, as the Web grew in its audience, traditional media companies sought to leverage
and control this channel, but have met with little success and great resistance in their attempt
to dominate the online media. While sites operated by media corporations gather a large
audience, they have not been able to generate significant profit from doing so, and a common
problem for commercial enterprises is the shift of audience from profitable channels to the
Internet. The audience for traditional and more profitable channels such as television, radio,
and print has significantly decreased and media corporations have had to dramatically reduce
their staff. Some long-established newspapers and magazines have gone out of business.

The author suggests that there have been suggestions for the government to subsidize news
outlets on the theory that an informed citizenship is necessary to democracy However,
distrust of the motives of the government, namely in the potential to control the media for
propaganda purposes, provides a strong counterpoint to this suggestion.

AMERICANS' VIEWS OF THEIR MEDIA

As the American media is a commercial enterprise, not subject to (much) central control, it is
operated to cater to consumer preferences. If a given motion picture achieves commercial
success, there will follow several others with a similar theme. If a newspaper sells a larger

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number of copies by printing controversial or salacious articles, it will continue to do so and
devote more of its content to topics and treatments that it expects to appeal to readers.

American media are also driven by market research, as an attempt to more accurately predict
the commercial viability of their product. They keep close watch on their audience, conduct
surveys to determine consumer tastes, and conduct market tests of entertainment. In the
television market, surveys are used to determine whether to fund a program, a single pilot
episode is test marketed, and if the numbers are not appealing, it will not be produced for the
mass market. Even programs produced and released are subject to be cancelled if they do not
draw a desirable number of viewers.

In this sense, there is significant evidence to support the argument that Americans "get what
they want from their media," as opposed to media being controlled by a small number of
powerful individuals. n this sense, there is significant evidence to support the argument that
Americans "get what they want from their media," as opposed to media being controlled by a
small number of powerful individuals.

Again, this is not a universal opinion or preferences: some Americans are critical of the mass
media for the subject matter and political overtones, and seek for themselves media that
better suit their sense of what is tasteful or acceptable. Critics of the media argue that there is
a larger audience for "quality programming" than media decision-makers admit.

It is generally perceived that there is a need for public or charitable funding of non-
commercial entertainment (NPR and PBS) to produce "quality" entertainment and
information programs that the market is unwilling to watch.

In particular, politically-minded Americans organize to protest the objectionable aspects of

the media - not merely for sexual and violent content (though those are the most common
objections), but also for its racist and misogynistic bias, and messages that contradict what
they feel to be culturally appropriate (politically or otherwise).

On the positive side, media is sometimes praised for providing "free" entertainment to the
masses, for providing insight and common understanding of subcultures (enabling people to
"see" or "hear from" a cultural segment with whom they might not otherwise have had
contact), and for creating a common set of experiences that shape American culture (people
in diverse geographic locations can converse about their experience of seeing the same film).
The prospect of controlling the media message, or of making certain media unavailable, is
denounced as censorship, to which Americans almost universally stand in vehement
opposition.

MISCONCEPTIONS THE MEDIA PROMOTE

An anecdote is told of a foreign graduate student whose experience of American media led
him to have significant misconceptions about American residences. The films and television
programs he had watched led him to expect quarters to be spacious, clean, and appointed with
modern conveniences, and his neighbors to be cheerful, attractive, and outgoing people. His
experience in renting an apartment came as quite a disappointment. In general, media

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promotes an idealized version of the American residence. Such places do exist, generally new
construction in wealthier areas where there are tightly-knit communities of residents. But this
does not describe the conditions in which most Americans live, especially in proximity to
universities.

The author lists some of the main misconceptions that foreigners draw from their experience
of American media:

• That the majority of Americans live in highly urbanized areas, such as New York, Los
Angeles, Chicago, and other places that are commonly the setting of media
entertainment
• Most Americans are physically attractive, and those who are not are physically
attractive are generally criminals or members of the lower class, and are prone to
deceit and violence
• Non-white Americans are uncommon, inferior, and generally members of the lower
classes
• Average Americans are wealthy and do not have to work for a living, or do not devote
much time or effort to their professions.
• Average Americans live in large, modern, and lavishly appointed apartments and
houses
• Most of the physical items Americans possess are new, modern, and in excellent
repair
• Violent crime is a common occurrence in all parts of the country, and high-speed car
chases are frequent on American streets
• Most Americans have guns
• All Americans are sexually permissive and promiscuous

It's also remarked that the American media is very insular and does not pay much attention to
events in other countries. News stories about other countries are rare, except when they affect
Americans directly, and news from other countries (foreign broadcasts) are virtually
nonexistent.

SUGGESTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

Foreigners visiting the United States from abroad are primarily encouraged to recognize that
the sense of American they have gained from the media is highly unrealistic, and to avoid
setting expectations accordingly.

As for media consumption, the advice is to explore as wide a range of media as possible, and
focusing on a limited number of information sources, or genres of entertainment, will result
in a skewed perspective.

It's noted that media is a popular topic of conversation among Americans, and a good way to
initiate or sustain conversations is to discuss a film, program, musician, news article, or other
media experience.

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 CHAPTER 10 SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

MEETING NEW PEOPLE

In some cultures, a person simply does not talk to another person unless they have been
formally introduced by a friend or colleague - but this is no so in the United States. A
complete stranger may say "hello" or strike up a casual conversation, and this is perfectly
acceptable (and considered rude not to return the greeting or engage in the conversation).

The author raises the question of why people pursue relationships with others - with the
answer being to get something for themselves. He relates experiences in two separate cultures
(China and Peru) ion which people would approach him in a friendly manner, and eventually
get around to asking for a favor.

In America, people consider this to be offensive, and are on guard of people who pursue a
friendship too aggressively because it is often a precursor to such an imposition. Americans
are cautious of being taken advantage of - it is the strategy of a kind of criminal, a "con
artist," to seek to gain the confidence of others to gain something (usually financially) for
himself.

In other cultures, such behavior is normal and understood, particularly in less individualistic
cultures where people do not interact as individuals but as members or representatives of
groups. However, Americans see social relationships as companionship based on shared
personal interests, not as a means to personal gain.

The exception to this is in the business world, in which building a large number of
connections to people - called "networking" - is a means to have a way to find people with
whom they may wish to do business, generally to their mutual financial benefit. However, a
strong distinction is drawn between business relationships and personal friendships

Americans generally get to know people by being cordial with individuals they meet in their
daily lives: at school, in religious and volunteer organizations, at sports and leisure activities,
at social events, etc. The interaction in these environments is limited to "small talk," as
previously discussed in an earlier chapter. If two people find themselves meeting recurrently,
especially if it is in different places, they may progress toward a closer relationship.

THE AMERICAN CONCEPT OF FRIENDSHIP

Foreign visitors sometimes report feeling betrayed by Americans who seem kind and
interested but then do not allow new acquaintances to get to know them better. Compared to
people in their own culture, Americans seem cold and distant - "not really human," one
Brazilian is quoted as saying.

One phenomenon to consider is that American society has become more mobile and
nomadic. Many individuals have moved from one place to another in the past, assume they
will do so again in future, and as such prefer not to establish intimate friendships that will be
painful to abandon.

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It's also considered to derive from the imperative to be a self-contained individual that
Americans are reluctant to depend on other people, and avoid forming close relationships for
fear of dependency, one way opr the other, that would undermine their independence.

This is not to say that close friendships are nonexistence, but the degree of connectedness
many foreigners form in a short amount of time will take years for Americans to develop.
Even then, there is some distance in a friendship - each person goes about their daily
activities, and may go weeks or longer without spending time with close friends. The author
concedes that these are generalizations, and some Americans are willing to devote time to
getting to know new acquaintances and develop close friendships. But it tends to be with a
small number of people, perhaps two or three at the most.

The most important characteristics of a close friendship, in the American sense, is the ability
to discuss and share private, personal matters with another person in confidence, as well as to
persist the relationship over time and distance.

Interaction with friends is briefer in America than in other countries. Generally, socializing
with friends means an activity of an hour or so - having a meal at a restaurant, going to a
movie or a sporting events, play a game of cards, or have a few drinks. They generally
become uncomfortable if they are in the presence of other people for more than an hour or so
without some structured activity or distraction.

It may be because of their emphasis on "doing things" with friends that Americans tend to
form compartmentalized friendships - which was previously mentioned (a friend with whom
you go to the gym, friends with whom you study, etc.). Likewise, there are "work friends"
who may have lunch together every day and sometimes go out for drinks after work, but
never visit one another's'homes or meet each others' families.

American teenagers seem to be an exception to this: they often "hang out" with other teens
for long periods of time, even in groups of people who don't know one another very well.
Even so, the sense they convey is that they are not so much enjoying the idle company of one
another as they are looking for something to do or waiting for something to happen.

Most Americans also believe it is possible to have friends of the opposite sex, and do not
automatically assume that a male and a female who are congenial toward one another are
necessarily sexually involved. It's noted that the friendship may lead to a romantic
involvement, or that there will be "sexual tension" between a man and a woman who spend
time together, but they believe people are capable of showing the restraint to avoid sexual
interaction in a friendly relationship.

Technology, namely social networking, enables friends to stay in touch, even over distance,
but this form of contact tends to be superficial - "touching base" or "keeping tabs" with many
connections at once rather than making personal or individual contact. It began as a fad
among teenagers and college students, but has grown to encompass Americans of all ages.

Technology is also seen to both support and undermine social interaction among friends: cell
phones, in particular, can provide a convenient way for individuals to make arrangements to
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meet and spend time together. It's also noted that a person who seems to be physically present
at a social gathering will be engaged with his cell phone, interacting with someone who isn't
present, separate from the group he is physically with.

The user of handwritten letters to communicate with distant friends is fading in popularity. E-
mail has substituted for handwritten letters, as well as online chat, and especially posting
messages to a social networking profile.

RELATIONSHIPS PRESCRIBED BY ROLES

In all cultures, there are "rules" that are unwritten, but generally understood and expected.
The US is contrasted with Japan, where there are many rules for behavior and interaction -
Japanese table manners, even at a seemingly informal meal, are very specific and very
detailed. The author relates an anecdote about the level of specificity, in which a Japanese
person asks an America about the "correct angle" for tipping a soup bowl when taking the last
spoonful. Americans are perplexed at the notion of such a level of ritualism.

However, Americans do have certain rituals that they follow, and expect others to follow, in
specific situations

• Customer - When interacting with sales clerks, waiters, and other service people,
they treat such individuals as being more or less equal to themselves. To be rude
or dismissive is "highly frowned upon."
• Tenant - The relationship between tenant and landlord is entirely formal. What is
expected of the tenant and what he can expect of a landlord is spelled out in detail
in the lease.
• Neighbor - In general, the rule toward neighbors is "mind your own business."
This varies among neighborhoods, but it's generally accepted that neighbors don't
intrude in one another's lives. AS such, most Americans don't know many of their
neighbors by name and do not interact with them socially, aside of the cordial
"block parties" and other events
• Coworkers - In general, people in an office environment are cordial and respectful
to one another regardless of rank or status. The emphasis is on being egalitarian in
relationships (as opposed to showing favoritism), maintaining a pleasant work
environment for everyone, and keeping the emotional tone of the workplace under
control.

COURTESY, SCHEDULES, GIFTS

The author chooses these three topics as significant elements of culture in which foreigners
may have difficulty understanding American ways.

Regarding courtesy, there is a list:

• Acknowledging another person's presence, regardless of rank or relationship, is

expected. It may be as subtle as a glance, nod, or smile, generally a brief greeting
(hi/hello/good morning)

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 • Participating in small talk, at least a little bit, when you are in the presence of others
for more than a few minutes, and even among complete strangers
• Using vocabulary, tone of voice, and volume that suggests equality of status - neither
"talking down" to a person or showing much deference to them
• Saying "please" when making a request
• Saying "thank you" when a request is filled (even if it was not asked), even to people
in subservient roles such as clerks, servers, and maids
• Being gracious and saying "you're welcome" when thanked, even if you didn't do
anything unusual.
• Taking a place at the end of a line and waiting patiently for your turn for service or
attention

In terms of schedules, Americans will seem very casual as compared to certain other cultures,
coming and going when they please, but there are a few guidelines that should be considered,
and a guarded posture against doing certain things at certain times.

• Meals: Americans generally take breakfast between 7 and 9 am, lunch between 11
am and 1 pm, and dinner between 6 pm and 8 pm. On weekends, these times may
shift (generally later)
• Work: Office hours are considered to be 8 am to 5 pm. Though many will work
earlier or later, this is considered time for individual activity.
• Home: Do not call or visit in the morning during workdays, or before 9:00 am on
non-working days. Likewise, do not call or visit after 9:00 pm on any day.

Comparatively speaking, Americans give gifts on a relatively small number of occasions as

compared to other cultures, and in a smaller circle of people. Gifts are generally given on
specific occasions (birthdays, graduation, wedding, moving into a new home, and the birth of
a child), the Christmas season (even for non-christians). Gifts are given to parents on
Mother's Day and Father's Day, and to spouses or romantic partners on Valentine's day.

Other snippets:

• In general, gift-giving is expected to be reciprocal, and making a gift to someone

who is not expecting it and unprepared to give a gift in return is embarrassing and
inappropriate.
• Giving gifts to a person who is in a position to grant or withhold favors (a boss, a
client, a government employee) is improper and may be a violation of ethics or
even the law.
• For weddings and sometimes children's birthdays, the use of a "gift registry" in
which the recipient suggests what they would like to receive is not considered
inappropriate
• The use of "gift cards" is increasingly popular and acceptable.
• Giving cards is common and less sensitive than gifts. During the Christmas
holidays, cards are generally exchanged, though the preferred message is a general
and non-religious "happy holidays" or "seasons greetings"

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 SUGGESTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

The general advice to foreigners seeking to establish relationships with Americans is simple:
take the initiative but proceed slowly.

Taking the initiative is necessary because most Americans already have very structured and
scheduled lives. They generally have an established network of friends and do not seek out
international visitors to befriend. As such, many foreign visitors find they will need to pursue
an American and cannot expect Americans to approach them.

Going slowly is important because it takes time. Americans seem very cheerful and outgoing,
and are easy to engage on a superficial level, but much more reluctant and slow than
individuals in other cultures to form a deeper relationship. They tend to balk at anyone who
seeks to attach themselves too soon or too aggressively.

Be prepared to be conversant in various topics of "small talk." Americans have an innate

curiosity about the culture of other nations, so this is a handy topic of discussion. You may
also wish to ask about their culture in return, but beware of sensitive topics.

Seek out religious services or social clubs that suit your beliefs and interest can put you in
touch with Americans with whom there is already a shared interest and a topic of
conversation.

Finally, be patient in that you will not make much progress very quickly, and none at all with
some individuals, as well as persistent in trying to establish connections with a broad array of
people in an attempt to chance across someone with whom you can connect.