Blog post #9

Third Person Effect           

    The Third Person effect is a theory in communications that explains how people think that others are more affected by the media than themselves. The concept was first proposed by W. Phillips Davison in 1983.  One reason this happens is because people have a natural tendency to view themselves in a more positive light, which is also known as a self-enhancing tendency. It also happens because people underestimate the influence of the media on themselves, and think that others are just more affected by it.  This can include many different kinds of media like political campaigns, advertising, social media, and the news. The third person effect can also be correlated with the social comparison theory which is where people compare themselves to other to try and figure out their own beliefs.  This effect is also the reason people support censorship, and do not always appreciate harsh topics being brought up in the media.  They think they can handle that media but it may make others upset or uncomfortable. 

    

    When researching the 3rd person theory I found a study done to research how the theory effects people. This study was done in the form of a telephone survey that 721 people took part in.   They had the hypothesis that other will think the media will have a greater effects on others over themselves, and thought it would lead to supporting restrictions on media.  Each person was put through a system to be selected randomly, and asked a set of question based on 12 conditions. They results showed the hypothesis to be correct but the support of the restrictions depended on what conditions they were asked about.

    `Above are the factors that play a part in the third person effect, and why people have certain reactions.  Everybody is different ands that is why people can have different reactions to the media, so personal characteristics play a big part in that.  Along with that culture is a factor that influences this theory because where you live, and what you're surrounded by influences how you think.  In general everyone has different opinions on social media and what people should be posting on there, so it all goes into the third person effect and thinking that media content will influences other more then yourself. 

    Personally before I researched the third person effect, I had never heard of it but, as soon as I started researching it I found it really interesting.  The third person effect is something I have noticed in my everyday life, and I can see how it is related to censorship.  We live in a very sheltered generation where "everybody gets a trophy." There is also so much technology that censors not just kids, but I know some people in college who still have restrictions on their phone.  From things like passwords to get into the certain apps, or timers on the phone so you cant use it after a certain time limit.  I know a lot of parents will do this for there kids so that they are not on technology too much because they may think it's not good for them.  Thats usually the same mom who has to post their whole day on Instagram and like to scroll on Tiktok before bed.  So while I never knew what the third person effect was, I have witnessed it many times. 

        

    

    

Blog Post #8

 Diffusion

The diffusion of innovations was a theory created by Everett Rogers in 1962, it was based off of 508 diffusion studies in a variety of fields. This theory was in place to explain how and why ideas or new technology spread in society.  It categorizes adopters into groups which are innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards. Rogers states that there are 5 factors that go into the diffusion process.  Which include innovation, communication channels, time, a proper social system and adopters to the idea of innovation. 

    

I think the diffusion of innovations is a very interesting concept because it really makes you think why am I doing this? or why do people use this?

An example I can think of for my age group is snapchat.  Something I think about all the time is why did snapchat become popular?  It has many of the same features immesage does.  In my generation instead of asking people for their number people ask for their snap, and communicate by texting on the app.  This is something that older people do not do because they weren't being raised when this app came out.  At the time of the snapchat launch there was many advantages which is why I think it adapted into our society, these advantages include communicating through photos and having access to tons of filters.  It's also allowed you to have your friends locations and see what they were doing at almost any moment. 

I also see this when I compare the apps on my phone vs. my parents.  Surprinsingly my Mom just joined tiktok, however she does not know how to work it.  Besides that the only social media she uses is facebook, and my Dad is the same way.  This is a normal thing in their generation and facebook is enough for them to stay in touch with friends.  In my generation you need to be involved in so many other kinds of media to stay in touch.  If I did not have snapchat or instagram I probably would have lost touch with half of my friends from high school by now.  It also how I find out information about people like birthdays, or major life events.