Cultivation Theory

Can the media cultivate us? All of the theories I’m looking at are about the influence media has, but I feel like the cultivation theory has a more direct impact than the others. Whereas the hypodermic needle and multi step flow theory talk about influencing our actions, the cultivation theory talks about an internal influence on our perspective of the world. The theory says that heavy exposure to media “imparts a worldview that is consistent with the world presented in the media” (Straubhaar 417). So if you’re watching violent films or news stories about rape, murder, and kidnapping- you will have a skewed perception of the world, overestimating the chance of violence in your life.

The show “Skins” is an MTV show about high school kids and the lives they lead. “The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness (including eating disorders), sexual orientation identity, substance abuse and death.” My belief is that the people who watch this show will feel like every high school experience is like the one in “Skins”. Seeing their behavior as normal will most likely make them behave (or let others around them) behave in the same way.

I found a video clip that proves my point. The actors and actresses answer questions about the show, firmly believing that they are representing an actual high school experience. What I want to know is what high school did they go to that they were surrounded by illness, substance abuse, and death everywhere they turned. It’s not fair of them, or MTV to portray the ’real world’ in that light.

Here's the link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O56JVDUhhRU&feature=player_embedded


References

Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skins_%28TV_series%29 
Skins Picture: http://amysrobot.com/files/skins.JPG