How has TV programming affected developing countries?
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First of all let me paste a table that shows the three sociological perspectives that we are addressing.
(see Table 1
TABLE 1 Sociological Perspectives
Sociological Perspective Level of Analysis Focus
1. Symbolic Interactionism Micro Use of symbols; Face-to-face interactions
2. Functionalism Macro Relationship between the parts of society; How aspects of society are functional (adaptive)
3. Conflict Theory Macro Competition for scarce resources; How the elite control the poor and weak
We will look at how these sociological perspectives can explain the impact of global TV programming on developing nations. I have witnessed these effects firsthand. I was born and raised in Brazil, South America and returned there after college to teach at an international school. I currently live in Thailand and have seen global TV impact society here as well.
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Solution Summary
A discussion of how western TV programming has affected developing countries. The functionalist, conflict and interactionist perspectives are discussed. Over 1200 words of original text based on life experience of living in Brazil and Thailand as well as original research.
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First of all let me paste a table that shows the three sociological perspectives that we are addressing.
(see Table 1
TABLE 1 Sociological Perspectives
Sociological Perspective Level of Analysis Focus
1. Symbolic Interactionism Micro Use of symbols; Face-to-face interactions
2. Functionalism Macro Relationship between the parts of society; How aspects of society are functional (adaptive)
3. Conflict Theory Macro Competition for scarce resources; How the elite control the poor and weak
We will look at how these sociological perspectives can explain the impact of global TV programming on developing nations. I have witnessed these effects firsthand. I was born and raised in Brazil, South America and returned there after college to teach at an international school. I currently live in Thailand and have seen global TV impact society here as well.
Symbolic Interactionism
According to symbolic interactionism, people attach meaning to symbols. This meaning can be completely different from how someone else interprets that symbol. An interesting phenomenon in developing nations is that they tend to adopt any part of Western and especially American pop-culture as good or superior to their own. They see that America is a superpower politically and perhaps subconsciously assume that by adopting American culture they too will vicariously experience this superiority.
Here are several examples of symbolic adoption by developing nations of American pop-culture.
? The Playboy bunny symbol. I cannot really explain this one. I worked in Brazil for five years from 2004-2009 and this symbol is everywhere. You see stickers on cars, windows, motorcycles, backpacks, store fronts, etc. It is very bizarre because it doesn't stand for the playboy ...
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