This accessible yet research-based text offers both foundational theories and practical applications of analysis and criticism of mass media portrayals of sex, love, and romance in a wide variety of mass media, from entertainment to advertising to news. The multidisciplinary methodological perspective comes out of a media literacy approach and embraces a variety of traditions along the quantitative-qualitative continuum. Focused on portrayals of male-female coupleship, the book is centered around the 12 major myths and stereotypes of Galician's Dr. FUN!'s Mass Media Love Quiz©, each of which has a corresponding Dr. Galician Prescription(R) that encapsulates healthy strategies--rarely found in the mass media--to counteract that myth or stereotype. Readers learn how to identify, illustrate, deconstruct, evaluate, and reframe the mass media's mythic and stereotypic portrayals of sex, love, and romance. They also learn how to use their own formal critical evaluations to clarify their own values and--as media consumers or mass communication creators--to share their insights with others. Thus, the learning objectives encompass all three major educational domains: cognitive, affective, and behavioral. Part I of this book covers the five foundations: *myths and stereotypes of love and coupleship; *models of realistic and constructive love and coupleship; *mass media storytelling approaches, techniques, and devices; *research and theories of mass media effects; and *strategies and skills of media literacy. Part II is devoted to exploring the myths and stereotypes identified in the Quiz. Following several brief case studies and a summary of related research and commentary, each chapter focuses on analyses and criticisms of portrayals of sex, love, and romance in the content of news and advertising, as well as entertainment using Galician's Seven-Step Dis-illusioning Directions. Each chapter concludes with a "Dis-illusion Digest." While critical of unrealistic portrayals and the damage they can cause unsuspecting media consumers, Galician--a media literacy advocate--is not anti-media. Rather, her goal is to empower consumers to use these portrayals with more awareness of their possible consequences, to resist adopting them as models for actual behavior, and to consciously reframe them into more realistic, productive scenarios. This unique text is an engaging classroom resource for media literacy, media and relationships, and media and society coursework. This accessible yet research-based text offers both foundational theories and practical applications of analysis and criticism of mass media portrayals of sex, love, and romance in a wide variety of mass media, from entertainment to advertising to news. The multidisciplinary methodological
Author(s): Mary-Lou Galician
Series: Routledge Communication Series
Edition: 1
Publisher: LEA, Inc.
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 279
EEn......Page 1
Sex, Love, and Romance in the Mass Media - Analysis and Criticism of Unrealistic Portrayals and Their Influence......Page 2
Copyright Info......Page 6
Dedication......Page 7
Dr. FUN's Mass Media Love Quiz......Page 9
About Your Answers......Page 12
About the Author......Page 13
Contents at a Glance......Page 15
TOC......Page 17
Preface - Why I Wrote This Book for You......Page 25
Acknowledgments......Page 26
Why I Began My Formal Research Of Sex, Love, & Romance In The Mass Media......Page 30
What This Book Offers You......Page 33
Sources Cited......Page 38
Part I - Foundations of Analysis & Criticism of Sex, Love, & Romance in the Mass Media......Page 40
Sources Cited......Page 41
What Are "Sex," "love,' & "Romance"?......Page 44
What Are "Mass Media" & "Their Influence"?......Page 50
What Are "Unrealistic Portrayals"?......Page 54
What Are "Analysis" & "Criticism"?......Page 57
Summary......Page 58
2 - Ideals & Illusions (Unrealistic Models) - Myths & Stereotypes of Love & Coupleship......Page 60
What Are "Myths"?......Page 61
Summary......Page 77
Sources Cited......Page 79
"Dis-Illusion"......Page 80
The Relationship Between Expectation & Satisfaction......Page 81
Models Of Realistic Love......Page 85
Sources Cited......Page 91
4 - Mass Media Narrative Constructions - Mass Media Storytelling Approaches, Techniques, & Devices......Page 94
Mediated Stories Or Narratives......Page 96
Checklist Of Mass Media Storytelling Tactics & Techniques......Page 100
Sources Cited......Page 105
5 - The Influence Of The Mass Media - Research & Theories of Mass Media Effects on Individuals & Society......Page 108
Mass Media As Socializing Agents......Page 109
Scientific Research Of Mass Media Effects Methodologies......Page 110
Sources Cited......Page 122
6 - Strategies & Skills Of Media Literacy - Tools for Media Analysis & Criticism......Page 126
What Is The Dis-Illusioning Process?......Page 133
Summary......Page 139
Sources Cited......Page 140
Part II - Applications of Analysis & Criticism of Sex, Love, & Romance in the Mass Media......Page 142
Format Of The 12 Chapters In Part II......Page 145
7 - Dr. Fun's Mass Media Love Quiz Myth #1 - Your perfect partner is cosmically predestined, so nothing/nobody can ultimately separate you.......Page 146
Additional Research & Commentary Related To This Mass Media Myth......Page 147
Sources Cited......Page 151
Worksheet For Mass Media Myth #1......Page 152
8 - Dr. Fun's Mass Media Love Quiz Myth #2 - There's such a thing as "love at first sight"......Page 154
Additional Research & Commentary Related To This Mass Media Myth......Page 155
Sources Cited......Page 159
Worksheet For Mass Media Myth #2......Page 160
9 - Dr. Fun's Mass Media Love Quiz Myth #3 - Your true soul mate should KNOW what you're thinking or feeling (without your having to tell).......Page 162
Additional Research & Commentary Related To This Mass Media Myth......Page 163
Dis-illusioning This Myth......Page 165
Dis-illusion Digest......Page 167
Worksheet For Mass Media Myth #3......Page 170
10 - Dr. Fun's Mass Media Love Quiz Myth #4 - If your partner is truly meant for you, sex is easy and wonderful......Page 172
Additional Research & Commentary Related To This Mass Media Myth......Page 173
Magazines: Manuals For Easy, Wonderful Sex?......Page 174
Dis-illusion Digest......Page 176
Sources Cited......Page 177
Worksheet For Mass Media Myth #4......Page 178
11 - Dr. Fun's Mass Media Love Quiz Myth #5 - To attract and keep a man, a woman should look like a model or a centerfold......Page 180
Additional Research & Commentary Related To This Mass Media Myth......Page 181
Sources Cited......Page 187
Worksheet For Mass Media Myth #5......Page 188
12 - Dr. Fun's Mass Media Love Quiz Myth #6 - The man should NOT be shorter, weaker, younger, poorer, or less successful than the woman......Page 190
Additional Research & Commentary Related To This Mass Media Myth......Page 191
Sources Cited......Page 199
Worksheet For Mass Media Myth #6......Page 202
13 - Dr. Fun's Mass Media Love Quiz Myth #7 - The love of a good and faithful true woman can change a man from a "beast" into a "prince."......Page 204
Additional Research & Commentary Related To This Mass Media Myth......Page 205
Sources Cited......Page 209
Worksheet For Mass Media Myth #7......Page 210
14 - Dr. Fun's Mass Media Love Quiz Myth #8 - Bickering and fighting a lot mean that a man and a woman really love each other passionately......Page 212
Additional Research & Commentary Related To This Mass Media Myth......Page 213
Dis-illusioning This Myth......Page 214
Sources Cited......Page 217
Worksheet For Mass Media Myth #8......Page 218
15 - Dr. Fun's Mass Media Love Quiz Myth #9 - All you really need is love, so it doesn't matter if you and your lover have very different values......Page 220
Additional Research & Commentary Related To This Mass Media Myth......Page 221
Worksheet For Mass Media Myth #9......Page 226
16 - Dr. Fun's Mass Media Love Quiz Myth #10 - The right mate "completes you" -- filling your needs and making your dreams come true......Page 228
Additional Research & Commentary Related To This Mass Media Myth......Page 229
Worksheet For Mass Media Myth #10......Page 236
17 - Dr. Fun's Mass Media Love Quiz Myth #11 - In real life, actors and actresses are often very much like the romantic characters they portray......Page 238
Additional Research & Commentary Related To This Mass Media Myth......Page 239
Worksheet For Mass Media Myth #11......Page 244
18 - Dr. Fun's Mass Media Love Quiz Myth #12 - Since mass media portrayals of romance aren't "real," they don't really affect you......Page 246
Additional Research & Commentary Related To This Mass Media Myth......Page 247
Dis-illusioning This Myth......Page 248
Sources Cited......Page 249
Epilogue - DON'T STOP! "The End Is Where We Start From"......Page 250
Appendix A - Sample Completed Worksheet......Page 254
Appendix B - Sample Analysis & Criticism......Page 258
Index......Page 268
