Media Influence on Collective Beliefs about Screens and Children's Cognitive Abilities
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Themes
Media influence, collective beliefs, cognitive sociology, public health issues, media construction, screen exposure, children's cognitive abilities, media coverage, agenda-setting, health news, media production, public opinion, sociological mechanisms, health communication, media representation, public health, information dissemination, newsroom decision-making, health journalism, media agenda, cognitive effects, screen time, children's health, media sociology, health information, media framing, public perception, health news coverage, media and public health, information professionals, newsroom mechanisms, media and society, health issue promotion, media content analysis, scientific literature, media and health issues, health reporting, media effects on public opinion, public health media coverage, media influence on beliefs, health news production, cognitive abilities and screen time, media construction of health issues, health communication research, media sociology of health, public health and media studies
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Abstract
This study examines the role of media in shaping collective beliefs about the effects of screens on children's cognitive abilities, analyzing the mechanisms of media production and promotion of public health issues.
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[...] Thus, in view of writing the thesis, we will present here our main research hypotheses, the methodology we will adopt within this thesis in light of the hypotheses formulated by linking them with the elements of our theoretical framework; finally, we will comment on our bibliographic corpus. Research Hypotheses Our research thesis will therefore be based on 3 research hypotheses: 1. According to the theories of cognitive sociology (cf. Bourdon), any collective belief can be explained by a rationality of the individual actors, who act and adhere to ideas based on their perceptions, interests, and the information they have. Collective beliefs then emerge from the interactions of individuals with their socio-historical context and environment (the media being part of it). [...]
[...] We have also relied on the work of sociologist Dominique Marchetti. He has been analyzing since the 1950s the transformation of the media coverage of public health issues, particularly health scandals. He analyzes a long-term evolution that was initially very medical and which gradually became a 'demedicalized' and 'ore politicized' content. This study allows us to understand that the modalities of construction of public health issues within the media and the evolution of their forms, moving towards a demedicalized form and thus moving away from a purely scientific aspect. [...]
[...] the contributions of scientific literature on media construction: In a second part of our bibliographic research, we explored the works of various sociologists and information science specialists who have been interested in media construction. Our bibliography relies on the works of Isabelle Paillart, who shows that the media participate in social conflictuality, allowing the visibility of actors or subjects. We also relied on the works of the philosopher and essayist Yves Citton as well as on the works of the economics professor Igor Martinache, who analyzed thethe way in which media influence the perception of individuals. [...]
[...] The media - due to their missions - formulate statements transmitted intentionally to an audience. These declarative statements are subject to cognitive processing by their listeners, which ultimately can become factual beliefs for individuals2. 3. The media are guided by two sometimes contradictory logics. They are institutional actors, guaranteeing the dissemination of information to the largest number, but they are also commercial industries. Their information mission leads them to produce, disseminate, and highlight certain particular media objects, which must respond to these two opposing logics. [...]
[...] The second part of our practical part will aim to question journalists working in health sections of different press groups and analyze the production mechanisms of the information provided on the effects of screens on children's cognitive abilities. III- Commentary on the bibliographic corpus Within the framework of the preliminary assignment, our bibliographic research was structured around three axes: the theories of cognitive sociology: It seemed essential to us to make a detour to understand how the media can influence collective beliefs. [...]
