Introduction: Behavior in its Place

Reading Summary

This chapter discusses human interactions via media and face to face and how an influence of technology has melded these together over time. Humans structure their words, body language, and actions based on the situational factors in which they’re communicating. In a face to face interaction, individuals are more conscious of what is being said and how they are delivering it. Social groups are formed and shape the way we interact. For example, the way we communicate to our parents usually differs from how we communicate to our friends in terms of words, ideas, topics, and body language. Each social group we interact with will guide how an individual decides to structure their communication and delivery. Media breaks down these social groups in terms of exposure. Although the interaction may be targeting a specific group, many other groups are exposed to the content. With media, social roles and idea are changed and shifted. The idea of privacy becomes limited and public interactions are more normalized. The filter an individual may once have during a face to face conversation is practically taken away or molds to a larger audience including many different social groups. Technology persuades our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions. Traditional social norms have taken a turn towards inclusive behaviors and acceptance of all thoughts and ideas to be expressed at any time and place.

Outside Example

While reading this chapter and the affect of media on our social behaviors and interactions I thought a lot about how the Coronavirus has and will impact us in terms of these ideas presented. With social distancing in order, our face to face human contact has been limited to those who live with us for the majority. With schools shut down and jobs being completed from the comfort of our home we are losing these day to day interactions where social groups have to be taken into consideration. Our human interactions have become completely reliant on the media and technology. Personally, and I know amongst many others, this period of social distancing has already increased my media use extensively. Whether it be through using new platforms such as zoom or checking my social media more often then needed, the human race as a whole has turned to media and technology to provide us entertainment for our boredom and for the ability to create a sense of human contact.

Reading Connection

As mentioned in the reading summary, a lack of awareness and distinction of social groups from face to face interactions widens the content in which we feel is acceptable to be presented amongst many. The amount of posts created solely off of sharing personal opinions and thoughts without a content filter during this time have increased significantly and can be almost be considered rather normal by now. I believe this is due to the lack of human contact and ability to have closed off discussions with specific individuals. focusing on specific content. I believe that due to this situation, our extensive media use is going to become even more normalized and welcomed to different platforms that it otherwise would not have been acceptable. I also think that our physical interactions are going to shift once we return to normalcy. Physical touch like greetings with hugs and handshakes may begin to feel like an inappropriate behavior because of the disease and the distance we have created.