...Manufacturing Consent Questions – Avery Reyner – September 30, 2012 Manufacturing Consent is a technique of control. Noam Chomsky was first introduced to this concept from an author named Walter Lippmann who wrote about ‘Manufacturer of Consent.’ Chomsky augmented his concept to Manufacturing Concept and the philosophy has become so popular it later became a documentary film produced by two Canadians. Noam Chomsky has been called ‘arguably the greatest intellectual alive' (Fox, 1998) by the New York Times as he not only is a very outspoken professor, he is also an American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, logician, historian, political critic and activist. The information in this essay was obtained from his video called: Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media. Manufacturing Consent is the control of distribution of ideas and stories by media to purposely be in charge of the results and beliefs held by the masses of people that watch and consume those stories. Chomsky believes decisions regarding investment, production and distribution etc. are controlled by a relatively concentrated network of major corporations and conglomerates and investment firms. Chomsky also stated that the major companies are also the ones who employ executives in government and media supporting their campaigns thus motivating and manipulating control in society. Manufacturing Consent is the opposite of a democratic society because the government and media believe...
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...The Effects of Media Globalization By Mary Hickman Media globalization cannot be stopped. It is a result of new communications technology. It is also the prerequisite and facilitator for all other forms of globalization. Multi-national media is critical to global industries. Many Americans feel that we ought to enjoy the benefits of media globalization, such as global communication, rather than fearing and attempting to avoid the consequences—which ironically include hindrance of free speech. Communicating internationally has never been easier. Thanks to new media platforms, we can have a video conversation with a loved one who is 10,000 miles away or keep up-to-date on the stock market with our cell phones. The internet can also improve our health or save our lives. Your doctor may send an X-ray or MRI to another doctor in India or China for a second opinion and have it within hours. “…An Israeli company is making big advances in compression technology to allow for easier, better transfers of CAT scans via the Internet so you can quickly get a second opinion from a doctor half a world away” (Friedman, 2005). Thomas L. Friedman, quoting Craig J. Mundie, a chief technical officer for Microsoft: “‘The Windows-powered PC enabled millions of individuals, for the first time ever, to become authors of their own content in digital form, which meant that content could be shared far and wide’”. Friedman’s book underlines his belief that media has the power...
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...explain the human ability for language acquisition has been offered two completely different theories. One theory, which was formulated by B.F. Skinner, assumes that language acquisition as a result of nurture and environmental influence, another theory, which was proposed by Noam Chomsky, claims that learning the language is almost entirely provided by innate ability. Therefore, this essay aims to compare and contrast these two theories for their values and problems. Skinner applied to the development of the language his theory of operant conditioning, and according to his view, verbal behavior, like any other, arises as a consequence of operant learning. He argues that adults play an important role in language acquisition, by reinforcing and speaking to children grammatical way they control their expressions and utterances. Due to the reinforcement children establish the relationship between stimulus and response. However, problematic with this theory is that children often ignore the corrections. In addition, parents generally imitate the child's speech, and do not correct them. They are more interested in what child want to say, but not in sentences structure which he used. On the other hand, Chomsky (1959), who was a nativist, argued that children are born with a language acquisition device (LAD) and suggest The Innateness Hypothesis. According to his hypothesis, children have genetically determined system of grammar rules of their native language from birth, which allows...
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...Notion of Patriotism" in module # 12 "Critical Thinking and Mass Media Propaganda". Identify one main claim made by Howard Zinn in each of these two video clips and his supporting reason for the claim. Compare his views to those of Noam Chomsky in the clip "Anti-Americanism" in the same module page. Probe their claims and reasons with essential questions and justify your agreement or disagreement with them. (ANSWER) Essential Questions: What is beneficial for Americans to be aware of about World history? What does it mean to be...
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...Westernization on a Rampage Prospectus Franceline Kingu 103416713 Dr. John Cappucci Media, Technology and the Environment: 40-364-30 October 20th, 2014 Westernization on a Rampage Brief Review: A great amount of how we live affects the world we live in, what I decided to focus my final term paper on was the affects of climate change and what forms of justice our world is doing to help minimize the consequences. Climate change is defined to be a statistical change in weather arrangements that exceed a period of time. When climate changes, many things are forced to change in order to adapt. What we have realized but are neglecting to make changes within our lifestyle for, is that the world is reaching what scientists are calling a “Tipping Point”, which means we have thrust and pushed the environment far enough. Thesis: Our culture, more specifically, westernization and the excessive demands of the rich and the prominent has caused our world to transform and more importantly was and is a driving force to climate change and the deterioration of animal life, human life and the worsening of our planet earth. Major Arguments: 1. Climate change has affected a major part of or world, which is animal life. Due to the drastic change in our climate over extended period of time animals have become at risk, close to extinction and that is a cry for help. Why I focused on animal life wasn’t for the obvious reason; that they are in danger and some close to extinction, rather...
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...When a heart breaks When a heart breaks It won't go quietly It screams about your past mistakes Which isn't very lovely I guess I can understand It was once a vibrant being But it took more than it could withstand Without a chance of fleeing Now it lays in a shattered mess At the foot of my bed The pain never hurting any less But I know I must move ahead I know when a heart breaks It may never mend But it always gives and never takes So now I know this is the end Expressing How I Feel It's been a long time now we have been talking on the internet, And my love is growing each day although we have never met. Words can't truly express how I feel about you, You know my love is authentic, you have seen some clues. I was sad and searching for a mate like a lonely dove, And then you came along to bless me with your divine love. And although baby, we are miles apart, Not a day goes by without you in my thoughts. Sure online I have met a lot of girls, But trust me, you are the only girl for me in this world. We are so compatible for each other, I could never feel this emotion again for another. I can't wait for that day when you are really mines, I know it will be soon, just in a matter of time. If loving you is a sin, then I am the devil, Right now my love for you, is at the highest level. Ketika jantung istirahat Ketika jantung istirahat Ini tidak akan pergi diam-diam Ini jeritan tentang kesalahan...
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...through a process of stimulus, response, and positive or negative reinforcement (S-R-R). This S-R-R process is to make the desired behaviour become a habit that can be performed spontaneously. According to behaviourists, this process also can be applied into language learning. A concrete example of behaviourism applied directly to higher-level training, as a result of Bandura’ (1977) work, is behaviour. The terms are used interchangeably. This uses techniques such as "goal setting" and "self-reinforcement" to help people acquire the characteristics of a competent role model. Next, the second theory will be Language Acquisition Device (LAD) which developed by Noam Chomsky. Chomsky found out that there is an innate ability in every people which enable them to acquire and use language and this ability is known as LAD. Chomsky was not as concerned with the actual language being spoken as with the unspoken but understood rules that made the utterances appropriate, correct to native speakers. He argued that the stages of development that are required for children to develop their cognitive abilities in other areas do not apply to learning language. Then, the third theory is Interaction Hypothesis theory which introduced by Long in 1983 which is about the role of interaction in the second language learning and more concerned with how input is made comprehensible. According to this theory, the modified input created within interaction can be facilitating in explaining linguistic forms...
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...Chomsky published a review to Skinner’s book in 1959 on the limitations of applying behaviorism to humans, and brought out the Chomskyan revolution with his own interpretations on the intricate mental states during response and language acquisition. In his review, Chomsky simply says that Skinner’s concepts apply well to animals but not to humans in both literal and theoretical terms. Chomsky aims at developing a scientific way to understand language, because metaphors are not sophisticated enough to explain the internal states. Firstly, Chomsky emphasizes the creativity of language because it varies limitlessly. This contradicts Skinner’s perspective on linguistic behavior that highlights the lack of control over our response caused by the stimulus, aka the reinforcement history. Chomsky also believes in unlimited variations of responses and that stimulus can’t be independently identified. Only the response and mental states of the subjects can predict the stimulus. Chomsky argues against Skinner that response strength cannot measured by emission, energy level, speed, and repetition, because response can have different characteristics but the same meaning. For example, to show excitement, one can be speechless, or murmuring, or gasping. The final argument of Chomsky is language acquisition of babies. He believes that babies learn their mother tongues by picking up information as they grow and learn more than what they hear. Chomsky brings out his perspective on language acquisition:...
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...work place it could potentially improve efficiency and productivity. Jean Piaget was the first psychologist to systematically study cognitive development, especially in children. He developed many tests to expose various cognitive abilities. Through these tests, he was able to put to rest the assumption that children are less competent thinkers than their adult counterparts. In fact his research showed that children think in ways completely different than adults (Jean Piaget, n.d.). Noam Chomsky argued in the 1950’s that linguistics should be seen as an extension of cognitive psychology; however, he opposed the traditional learning theory of how language is acquired. According to Chomsky’s views, aspects of knowledge and ability in linguistics are a direct result of one’s innate ability to use it. This is termed language acquisition device, or LAD. Language acquisition devices enable children without developmental delays to fabricate systematic grammar and produce phrases (Noam Chomsky, Gale encyclopedia of psychology, 2001). In the mid 1950’s, two computer programmers developed a program that could solve complex mathematical theorems using binary code. The invention of this program quelled behaviorist beliefs that artificial intelligence was not capable of producing sophisticated thought. The...
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...Discuss whether it is possible to prove we are born with innate ideas An innate idea is an idea, of which, we are born with. I believe it is possible that we are born with innate ideas, although few. However, I do not believe it to be possible to prove this. G.E. Moore, Chomsky, Plato and Leibniz all tried to prove humans to have innate ideas. Alas, they could not do so without flaws in their arguments. G.E. Moore had the idea that morality was an innate idea. This is because he believed ‘good’ could be neither taught nor defined, as everyone has different opinions on good. As some people may say it good to kill a serial killer, but many people would argue that this is not. This means our ideas of what is ‘good’ or not must be innate, as they cannot be taught to us, thus our morality is innate. This is unlike a statement such as 2+2=4, as this is a state which can be taught to us and is definitely correct. It cannot be argued against as it is a necessary truth. ‘Good’, conversely, could be something that is picked up through life. That as we grow up and we are told off for doing wrong and praised for doing right, we could learn our morality. This fits in with ‘good’ still being undefinable’, as every child will have a different upbringing with different experiences and learn a different meaning of ‘good’. They will not definitely be born with the sense the idea of morality but learn it from their sense, as Hume would argue. They also learn this from inward expressions- emotions-...
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...Critically Evaluate Locke’s Argument against Innate Ideas In the enquiry, Locke talks of the notion of innate ideas as being ‘an established opinion amongst some men,’ this opinion can be seen as a direct conflict with Locke’s empiricism. Locke’s philosophical standpoint is that the mind gains ideas and concepts solely through experience; he argues that when we are born, we are born tabula rasa, a blank slate free from any knowledge or understanding and it is as we grow and experience the world around us that we form knowledge. The notion of innate ideas and principles then is clearly in complete contrast with Locke’s epistemology and as such Locke needs to show the arguments in favour of innate ideas to be flawed. I will show how Locke focuses his attack on one major assertion for the innate concept thesis, known as the great argument; how his two major problems with this argument are unfounded and how we can hold onto the concept of innate ideas in light of Locke’s criticisms. The great argument which Locke views as the main argument in favour of innate ideas goes as such: 1: If a principle is universally accepted then it is innate (as are the ideas which make it up) 1 2: There are some principles which are universally accepted 3: These principles (and the ideas which make them up) are innate This argument can be seen as fairly self-explanatory, but it does seem to rely completely on two major assumptions. Firstly, that all universally accepted principles must be innate...
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...Language Essay Ryan Butler Psychology 360 August 29, 2011 Professor Newlin LANGUAGE Have you ever wondered how we speak? How about why our communication is considered a language and other animal’s communication is not considered language? A wide range of beliefs exist on what defines language. Thus, by exploring the definition of language and lexicon, evaluating language’s key features, the four levels of language structure and processing, and the role of language in Cognitive Psychology, an understanding of what language is becomes clear. Let us begin by defining language and a term named lexicon. LANGUAGE AND LEXICON DEFINITION One big question, when the subject of language comes up, is exactly what language is. What constitutes something as a language? By explaining one definition of a language, and a term associated with language, called a lexicon, a definition of language transpires. Thus, the Willingham (2007) text mentions four certain characteristics communication must possess to, officially, be considered a language. One of these characteristics is that language must be communicative, and thus be communication between individuals in some form or another. Secondly, the symbols standing for words must be arbitrary, and thus have no reason for representing a word. Third, a language must be structured, and not arbitrary. For example, if I say a dog was walking on a sidewalk I cannot say a sidewalk was walking on a dog. etc. Fourth, a language must be...
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...Language Acquisition As according to Skinner, He defines Language acquisition as the process by which humans acquire the capacity to perceive and comprehend language, as well as to produce and use words and sentences to communicate. The capacity to acquire and use language is a key aspect that distinguishes humans from other beings. Although it is difficult to pin down what aspects of language are uniquely human, there are a few design features that can be found in all known forms of human language, but that are missing from forms of animal communication. B. F. Skinner believed that language acquisition, an important development in childhood, occurs because of reinforcement, that is, because children’s' parents or other caregivers reward them when their initially random sounds most resemble speech. Language is a cognition that truly makes us human. Whereas other species do communicate with an innate ability to produce a limited number of meaningful vocalisations (e.g. bonobos), or even with partially learned systems (e.g. bird songs), there is no other species known to date that can express infinite ideas (sentences) with a limited set of symbols (speech sounds and words). This ability is remarkable in itself. What makes it even more remarkable is that researchers are finding evidence for mastery of this complex skill in increasingly younger children. Infants as young as 12 months are reported to have sensitivity to the grammar needed to understand causative sentences (who...
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...Nim Chimpsky a chimpanzee who was named after a contemporary psychologist, linguist and political activist Nom Chomsky (Good Therapy). This is because Chompsy said that only humans have the means to learn language and researchers saw this as a clever pun (nybooks). Nim was a well-recognized chimpanzee for language learning, and was the focus of an experiment in teaching primates sign language. He was born in Norman, Oklahoma at the Institute for Primate Studies, on November 21, 1973. Nim died in March of 2000 from a heart attack or some say from a broken heart. He was twenty-six years old at the Black Beauty Ranch, a Texas animal sanctuary where he had passed away (npr). The Chimpanzee was raised as if he were a human; he was apart of all aspects of family life (dailymail). Nim was taken from his mother’s arms as an infant and given to Stephanie LaFarge, his new human mother. He was taken to her home in New York City where she would raise him in the same custom that she did her own seven children (Dailymail). Nim was in an experiment that was based on nature vs. nurture (skepticblog). In this experiment, Nim was learning how to communicate using sign language, he was sent to Columbia University were there was a chain of monitors watching his progress of ASL. The man who was the creator of this experiment was Dr. Herbert Terrace, a psychology professor. He wanted to prove that a chimpanzee if in a nurturing environment similar to the environment of human child could use grammar...
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...means the baby is more likely to continue saying it. Once the baby gets older the learning theory approach to acquisition no longer applies, because it has an issue with grammar. A child that might say “Why he walks away?” could be understood by the listeners around so it makes the theory harder to explain. So we might as well jump to our next topic in language acquisition, which is an innate process by nativist Noam Chomsky. Chomsky believed that people shared something called universal grammar. He also suggested the language acquisition device, it’s a neural system of the brain to help the understanding of language. There is also clear evidence from scientist who have helped this innate process they have researched. They have discovered that there are specific places in the brain that contribute to learning languages, and there are certain areas in the mouth and throat that help with new speech. There is also some research on how some languages need a different tone in speech such as pitch to make a words mean different things such as Chinese. In conclusion, moan Chomsky and some scientist have discovered that your body and mind are surely capable of learning other languages. Now we can review the approaches of these different theories and innate process on learning acquisition. So from what I have read and learned about is that our brain and genetics are sources that provide help to learning acquisition. Also the interactionist...
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