"No Sense of Place": Television and Society

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews Joshua Meyerowitz's book, "No Sense of Place: The Impact of Electronic Media on Social Behavior," which argues that electronic media, particularly television, has changed the traditional form of face-to-face interaction, restructured social groups and
hierarchies, and done away with the physical barriers that were once imposed on society. The writer explains how Meyerowitz outlines the effects of television on human rights, racism, politics and politicians, women and children, and the disabled. In conclusion, the writer's agreement with many of the book's ideas is made clear, as well as the importance of realizing the implications of television on society, and the way that it affects everything from our behavior to our interactions.

From the Paper:

"Previously, people were segregated into different social groups that were quite distinct and although social groups do still exist, they have now been integrated into a common sphere: Meyerowitz claims that electronic media, particularly television, is the reason for this enormous progression in society and states that "a broad, seemingly chaotic spectrum of social change may be, in part, an orderly and comprehensive adjustment in behavior patterns to match the new
social situations created by the electronic media (p.9). Modern modes of media have impacted our cultures and societies and, television in particular, has had one of the most profound impacts on the constant restructuring of social behavior; these changes are quite obvious since different social identities are no longer as distinct as they once were."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Meyrowitz, Joshua. (1985). No Sense of Place: The Impact of Electronic Media on Social Behavior (pp 2-312) Madison Avenue, New York: Oxford University Press.

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