By definition, mass communication is a message created by a person or a group of people sent through a transmitting device (a medium) to a large audience or market. Mass media is any medium used to transmit mass communication. Until recently mass media was clearly defined and was comprised of the eight mass media industries; Books, Newspapers, Magazines, and Recordings, Radio, Movies, Television and The Internet. Defining mass media is no longer clear cut or simple. The continuing explosion of digital communication technology is producing more than a little confusion on the subject. Mass media is part of our everyday enculturation. The population is bombarded with popular culture by television, radio, advertisement, internet and every other imaginable form to help us determine our views of popular culture.
The impact of mass media on enculturation is so pervasive that our country is near information overload. According to Paul A. Herbig “The average American is exposed to 61,556 words from the mass media each day which works out to just under 4,000 words per waking hour, about 60 words per waking minute per person per day.” (Herbig & Kramer, 1994) With the frequency in which we are exposed to mass media it is no wonder mass media has a profound effect on popular culture. One is clearly socialized into popular culture through the media, films, fashion, dance, etc. Socialization makes up a big part of enculturation. As generations change so does the mass media in forming our children. They do listen to the media whether we believe it or not. Whether, it is a teacher, news, friends, etc., children listen to media and probably have more access than we as adults.
