I have been increasingly more receptive to advertisements since we’ve starting discussing it, and therefore more aware of how they affect my mindset. After I see a certain commercial (it doesn’t apply to all, probably even just a small minority, it just seems like a lot due to the amount that are out there) I realise that I am duped. I won’t say that I rush out and buy that product, but I do give it a good second thought. How embarassing for someone who claims to be ad aware. After last night’s class and some methods of analysing advertising, I think I will start to actually analyse, rather than just subjectively judge, advertisements.
I guess this just goes to show that even if you claim to be ad aware, the makers of advertisements know the mindset. My roommate took a psychology course in the media and advertising and learned about all the ways that psychologists use what they know about how the human mind works in order to more effectively promote material goods towards us. So I guess I can’t feel as guilty as I do, they’re literally getting inside your head. Maybe we should keep using sociology and start using psychology to make advertising a more positive aspect of the media, rather than using this knowledge to lead to our downfall (as Jhally would say).
Social Sciences unite!
I feel that I am more educated on how the media really works now as well! I had never really thought about it before this class. And yes… I am one of those people who actually can’t help the urge to go out and buy some of that stuff. It’s hard not to want to buy them, when the people behind advertising spend so much money and time trying to get you to buy the products. Their goal is to get into your head and I think they do way too good of a job with that!