SOCIAL MEDIA ALGORITHMS

Algorithms–Templates (or sequence of mental codes) that people use to (a) guide their perception during exposures, and (b) interpret the meaning of messages in their exposures. Algorithms are constructions by individuals and are the product of their experiences filtered through their mental processes of sorting and meaning making; they are also programmed by the mass media. (Note: In the research literature, scholars use a variety of terms for these mental guides – schema, mental models, cognitive maps, and others. Each of these terms has highly technical meanings, and those meanings often vary across scholars. For those reasons, I use the term algorithm as a kind of general umbrella term to refer to all of those meanings.)

            1) The filtering task is governed by algorithms that are programmed by both the individual and the mass media.

2) The algorithms used in the meaning-matching task are largely definitions that have been provided by authorities and internalized by the person so their use is automatic. They require basic competencies to perform well.

3) The algorithms used in the meaning construction task are largely suggestive guides because meaning construction is always a partially specified problem. They require the use of higher-order skills to perform well.

Exposure states    The kind of experiences as person has when encountering media messages. There are four exposure states: attentional, automatic, transported, and self-reflexive. These are qualitatively different states that are separated by a liminal threshold (line of perception).

1) In the attentional state, audience members process message elements consciously. They actively interact with the element in the messages and can exercise some control over the processing, which can range from partial to quite extensive processing.

2) In the automatic state, audience members are not consciously aware of the exposure. Messages are processed but not consciously or in the immediate control of the audience member.

3) In the transported state, audience members experience tunnel vision with a very high level of concentration focused on the message to the point where the barrier between the message and the audience members disappears: all stimuli outside of this focus ignored.

4) In the self – reflexive state, audience members are not only consciously aware of the elements in the message, but they are also aware of their processing of those elements.

Information-processing tasks  Audiences for mass media messages are continually engaged in a series of three information – processing tasks of filtering, meaning matching and meaning construction.

Media exposure  Occurs when a person meets the criteria for physical exposure, perceptual exposure, and physiological exposure. Media exposure does not require attention on the part of the audience member; that is, the person can be exposed in non attentional states.

 

COMMUNICATION THEORY

Nurses take care of sick people and help to make sure that they remain healthy. Nursing is not a competition nevertheless they do have conflicts between day and night shifts. Shift change shouldn’t have conflicts! Nurses like Jessica and Evelyn don’t get along with each other. Jessica is a day shift nurse whereas Evelyn is a night shift nurse. Jessica works hard during the day of feeding patients. She deals with visitors, doctors, management, and tries to make sure that she does everything just right, so that the nurse Evelyn won’t be able to find anything wrong.



             Evelyn writes complains about night shifts different from day shifts. She tends to find things that the nurse Jessica has done wrong during the day and points it out in shifts change. The night shift is about watching over sleeping patients until the morning. It is also where a patient crashes and doctors have to be paged and procedures done.
 The day shift on the other hand is rarely quiet. Most visitors come during the day, nurses serve all the meals, and what is important they have to see management often displeasing most of the time. There are advantages and disadvantages to each shift, but its really bad when nurses won’t do their jobs aside from no emergencies, and leave things for the next shift.  One day Evelyn shows up at work twenty five minutes late. The nurse Jessica had to cover her three times. She tells Evelyn that she is not going to cover for her anymore. Evelyn started shouting at Jessica and a lot more. The supervisor walks in just as it looks like Evelyn is going to hit Jessica. Verbal aggressiveness is “tendency to attack the self- concept of people instead of, or in addition to, their positions on issues in order to inflict psychological pain” (Infante 2010, p.304).

 Potential issues: Interpersonal relationships at work: How to get along with each other. According to the author Dev Patniak, companies prosper when they create widespread empathy. In addition, the absence of empathy leads both nurses, Evelyn and Jessica to be unfair at work. If it is opened in the workplace between the two nurses, they gain lots of trust, motivation, and work well with each other as well. Communication theories are created to describe, and resolve effectively conflicts among coworkers for instance, nurses like Evelyn and Jessica. The theory of elaboration likelihood in this situation explains how peoples' attitudes are formed and changed through persuasion. …” it has been described as “the most promising recent theoretical development in persuasion research” ( O’Keefe, 1990.)

 Besides, empathy is important to problem solving. It prevents arising conflicts. The best ways to persuade and encourage empathy: 1) Persuade and teach employees skills such as; listening, understand each other, and be great listeners. 2) Hire employees of great characters and communication skills. In few words, hire those who get along with each other and  able to collaborate with each other at work.  3) Know each employee and be watchful as well. 

In addition, empathy is definitely a trait lacking in the workplace. The books Crucial Confrontation and Crucial Accountability both written by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Greeny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler.  Patterson, Greeny, Maxfield, McMillan and Switzler (2010) discussed a communication concept called CPR-content, pattern, and relationship. The content is to understand a single event, pattern is reoccurrence of an issue and relationship is what is happening to the individuals involved with the problem (Patterson el at., 2010). This method will help the manager decide which approach to take when communicating with Jessica and Evelyn. Empathy is a great tool used with problem solving skills to prevent conflict. In addition to empathy cognitive dissonance theory helps as well? As defined by Infante, dissonance can be a motivation for change “The more the mental discomfort (dissonance), the more we are motivated to change something to make things comfortable” (160). Combining the theory with empathy training could assist in a solution.
The theory of planned behavior in this situation describes that controlling our attitudes, beliefs and behavior shapes human's intention of speaking and behaving. Humans feel tense or are not easy at talking or meeting each other. So, it is important for them learn how to create relationship and become productive people of our society. Lastly, communication theories explain and bring positive result to people who are capable to use them and maintain real social and behavioral change working group. The only reason why social and behavioral change occur is because of conflict that happens between people for example the two nurses. Social change is critical and important otherwise the resolution and success would never be realized.

                                                            References
Patterson, K., Greeny, J., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R, & Switzler, A. (2010). Crucial   Accountability: Tools for Resolving Violated Expectations, Broken Commitments, and Bad Behavior (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
nfante, D.A., Rancer, A.S., & Avtgis, T.A. (2010). Contemporary Communication Theory Dubuque, IA: Kendal Hunt.
Perloff, M. R. (2005). The Dynamics of Persuasion (5th ed.)
Patniak, D. (2009). Wired to Care (1st ed.)
Selby, J. (2007). Listening with Empathy: Creating Genuine Connections with Customers and Colleagues.

MS in Communication

     A.Xh

                                                                                                    

     

 

 

 

 

                                                                                

 

MEDIA EFFECT ON INDIVIDUALS

I found myself into the social media business “…because we spend so much of our time with automatic processing of media messages, the media exert a continual influence on us without our conscious realization “(Pz. 2012, p. 11). I became a great communicator and therefore bring resolution and success in the workplace.  In other words, it helps me think creatively and engage more deeply with what I’m writing for our society to care a lot and about the content.  

 In fact, “There has been an amazing evolution and revolution in the way media has influenced society” (Pz. 2012, p.43). The media informs but at the same time advances our opinions. I selected a delivery channel of Oprah Winfrey “The pregnant man.”

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/First-TV-Interview-The-Pregnant-Man

The delivery channel had a great impact because our society tuned to it. People learned about the truth that males and females can reproduce and give birth to a healthy new generation too.  The media affect my actions, thoughts, and values.  The technology has affected my relationship by the use of emails, chat rooms, and instant messages as well.

According to the author Pz (2012), “Historical changes to mass media have opened the door to a wide range of influence that was not there in the past” (p.43).  For instance, television was less predominant between 1960 and 1970. These days, we have Digital TV that is available via satellite and cable networks. It offers more channels, better pictures, sound quality and other great things. I know that in the year of 2012 compared with that of 2004 the extensive use of cell phones, the rise of the Internet, and the advent of social media have changed the way I work, I live, and the way I make and maintain friendships.  In other words, I use social media and Internet to stay in touch with people. These ways of contacting people, didn’t exist in the past. I remember the time when I used to speak my family and only neighbors because our social networks were local.

Social networks such as Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are created and increased a lot recently. Ten years ago Facebook didn’t exist.  I remember that time I used to communicate with my friends via email only.  “We everyday check social media account and read information and messages. “Our culture is saturated with information. And much of that information comes to us through a flood of messages from the media” (Pz. 2012, p.5). I also find 2012 Myspace page a positive influence on pop culture and music. I spend a lot of time listening to music, reading for pleasure and satisfaction that is provided by “mass media.”  

What’s important, I have a cell phone and it’s more specialized from the phone I had ten years ago. I would have never thought that at the moment I would be able to watch news, weather, or even do shopping on my cell phone. It is equipped with numerous sorts including texting, talking, and tweeting that are now all a part of the adolescent experience as well. Cell phones play an important role into growing of social media of our society. They have changed the way people work and communicate together.

Also, SMS is accessible on a wide choice of networks, together with 3G networks. I am able to use SMS free text messages from a PC connected to the internet that I was unable to use it ten years ago. Kind of service is extremely money – making. “Knowledge is power,” because you will have the knowledge that few people in our culture have, that is an accurate vision of the big picture of media influence on you, your friend and society” (Pz 2012, p.13).

Today, there is more freedom for consumers in mass media consumption patterns than it was ten years ago. The information and entertainment that we read and watch on television, radio, magazines, books, and newspapers, affect my life but the Internet more. It is nearly impossible to live in today’s world without the Internet. “The typical college student has been found to spend more than 3.5 hours a day on the computer e-mailing, instant messaging and web surfing” (Pz. 2012, p.5). For me the Internet is serving as a great educational tool to obtain my degree. Right now, I am doing my assignments while sitting in my room and I find it an extremely appreciated tool. Social media makes our lives exciting.

I see a huge physiological effect that the media have on people especially on teenagers and their use of violent behavior. I realized that parents all are excessively worried over their children.  The author Pz (2012) defines it, as a purely automatic or quasi-automatic response (p.42). Teenagers are addicted to video games, music videos and internet. The only way to prevent them from being violent is teaching how to use wisely the internet, TV, video games and other things.

“Advertisers continually program the way we think about ourselves. Advertisers program and uneasy self-consciousness into our minds so, that we are on the lookout for products that will make us look, feel, and smell better” (Pz. 2012, p.11).  Advertising is good for us because it works our choices as a result we thank people who created these creative advertisements to good cause. The author Pz (2012) explains this “as the process of acquiring information” (p. 114). Though, advertising, we are open to a number of ways of losing weight and one of them is Lipozene. My peers brought up good points we want to come at this as well. By looking at the ad of Lipozene, its potential benefits come to my mind. It is different from other diet pills that I find at a health food store, online supermarkets and drugstores and it is proved an effective diet pill. Lipozene does help reduce my body fat and weights. It is important to do so because those who don’t suffer from medial conditions such as; coronary heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions. For me to have a healthy body image means that I am feeling good about my body. The way it looks and the way it functions. Lipozene is a diet pill that helps me to have a healthy mind, healthy body and have a happy life as well. “Advertising messages are told from the point of view of the target audience. Designers of these messages are saying that they know a need you have, and they have just the product that would satisfy that need” (Pz. 2012, p.61).

 Besides, ads help me buy things I need for example, a great pair of shoes like reebok. I can become injured due to my shoes. Sometimes, I stick with my favorite shoes for far too long. My shoes go through a lot of wear and tear from running, so I should pick up a new pair every few months to replace my old shoes. Furthermore, ads help me buy and eat the cereal which of course is Michael Jordan on the box as well. I imagine myself energetic and athletic like him. “Mass media trigger attitudes about the content they present, such as the reality of the stories, attractiveness of characters, and the credibility of news stories” ( Pz. 2012, p.177). Ethics is the study of right versus wrong. A right idea or ad is the one which fulfills a responsibility.

Besides, framing is another thing that helps the media creating something unpleasant or pleasant. We find images of people and things that have both positive and negative impacts on not just the people on the magazine cover but readers as well. However, I respect framing, because by looking both positive and negative sides of it effects the way we live. I selected a picture of OJ Simpson from TIME Magazine of June, 1994.

“Reinforcing, like altering, is a long-term influence the media exert on individuals” (Pz. 2012, p.78). The mug shut of OJ Simpson doesn’t bring out his best side. The media made him look too dark. He gives the impression of an evil who finds it easy, to take the life of someone else. Framing wants the audience to trust and believe that the photo of OJ Simpson portrays “reality” and “truth” and ignores his real look. It does have an objective in mind, to control how we people think and what we think about?  Media framing affects us every day and that influences how we make decisions. It creates and reflects our culture which is believes to be human’s knowledge, belief, and behavior.

When I look at the list of adjectives that describes me and the list of television shows, ads, and commercials that I watch, it is very exciting! I am motivated, creative, and energetic individual. The media motivate me to get in there to a certain day and time and watch for example “Shark Tank” that is a widely held America reality television series on ABC. It started its 5th season this September. It is a great show for the reason that it advises and teaches me investment and entrepreneurs and their importance. “People can acquire a belief immediately from exposure to one media message” (Pz. 2012, p. 80).

I am captivated by how powerful PSAs, ads, commercials, scenes and other things are just because of the way they use symbols, color, framing, lighting or camera angels, and such. Lots of new ideas come easily to me that I can use in the future.  An important thing I know is that these days black and white pictures have turned into a functional market for photographers who use the medium for artistic purposes as well. I am a creative person. I know that creative people are successful in life especially in the workplace. The greatest of being creative does succeed the costs. People with the best ideas “bring in” the most money as well. “The media have the ability to make publics by making certain information available that shapes “collective thought and action quickly, continuously, and pervasively across previous boundaries of times, space and culture” (Pz. 2012, p. 70).

 The media keep me motivated, creative, and reliable through important messages, issues and stories that affect my daily life. I always have to learn something new from them. I use the media as a convenient way to find out what is going on in our society. Most of them present values at which have helped me know well the difference between right and wrong and what’s the best for me as a human being.

                    MS in Communication
                             A.Xh