4/5/2019 Functions of Mass Communication

≡ MENU

Communication Theory
All About Theories for Communication.

Functions of Mass Communication

in MASS COMMUNICATION

The 1940s and 1950s saw the beginnings of increased research into the functions of mass
communications. Post the Second World War, there was widespread interest in trying to
understand the impact of mass media messages on society.

Stuart Miles/dollar photo club

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume

Functionalism that you are happy with it. Ok

https://www.communicationtheory.org/functions-of-mass-communication/ 1/9
4/5/2019 Functions of Mass Communication

The focus on understanding the effects of mass communications, especially its social
consequences and its impact on maintenance of social order gave rise to a theoretical
framework called functionalism. Functionalism focusses on explaining slow, evolutionary
change and not sudden changes. The limited capacity of functionalism to be used only in
policy research, evaluation and planning has been criticized by many theorists. The focus of
functionalism is on how mass communication serves society and fails to account for how
humans interact with mass communication and construct meanings from messages. The
focus on maintaining the existing social order and not allowing for any meaningful change
has also being criticized.

Merton’s Contribution

According to Merton, the functions of mass communication can either be manifest or latent.
Manifest functions are the readily observed and intended consequences of the media. Latent
functions on the other hand refer to the impacts that are not as easy to be observed or those
which are unintended.

Lasswell and Wright’s Functions of Mass Communication

1) Surveillance of the Environment: An important function of the media is to keep up a

surveillance of all the happenings in the world and provide information to the human society.
The media has the responsibility of providing news and cover a wide variety of issues that is
of some service to the society. Media help maintain social order by providing instructions on
what has to be done in times of crisis, thereby reducing confusion among the masses.

Example: In times of natural disasters, war, health scares, etc., it is the role of the media to
create awareness by providing information on what is happening and of ways in which the
disaster can be faced.

2) Correlation of parts of Society: This function relates to how the media’s selection of
certain news and its interpretation affects how society understands and responds to it.
People’s attitudes towards political issues, events, public policy, etc. are influenced to an
extent by how the media frames and presents the issue in their discussions and presentations.

Example: The media’s reporting on the war in Vietnam played a role in changing the

Wemindsets
use cookiesoftoAmericans who
ensure that we givestarted opposing
you the best sending
experience on oursoldiers
website. Ifto fight
you a losing
continue to usewar. Hitler
this site we will assume
used the media in his propaganda that
waryou
against thewith
are happy Jews.
it. Ok

https://www.communicationtheory.org/functions-of-mass-communication/ 2/9
4/5/2019 Functions of Mass Communication

3) Cultural Transmission: This refers to the ability of the media to teach the various
norms, rules and values that exist in a society and ensure its transfer from one generation to
the next. Television programmes by and large reflects the society in which they are broadcast
and promote the understanding of a society’s cultural heritage. Children’s television
programmes are designed to showcase good behaviors and moral standards which children
can learn by watching.

Example: Shows like Lassie, Full House, Seventh Heaven and the Brady Bunch promoted
family values.

4) Entertainment: This popular function of the mass media refers to the ability of the
media to help relax people and create a means of escape from the stress of everyday life. The
entertainment function of mass media has both positive and negative effects. The low quality
of content is often criticized but the other benefits like helping people experience new events,
stimulating emotions and helping people pass their leisure time show how important this
function is.

Example: Television offers opportunities for people to view events that they would otherwise
not be able to participate in like the Oscars, Independence Day Rallies, the Olympics, etc.

{ 23 comments… add one }

Gbemiro Esther
May 6, 2016, 1:48 pm

This is a nice piece, its concise and precise, straight to the point, it really helped me.

LINK

Kumba sesay
June 3, 2016, 2:35 am

Thanks for helping me out in my research for mass media and it’s functions
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume
that you are happy with it. Ok

https://www.communicationtheory.org/functions-of-mass-communication/ 3/9
4/5/2019 Functions of Mass Communication

LINK

Shahzaib Hassan
July 7, 2016, 11:23 am

Thanks for help.

LINK

Archa
July 30, 2016, 10:12 pm

Neat and accurate to the point.thank u for helping me with this for my assignment related to
mass communication

LINK

Richard
November 3, 2016, 1:10 am

This helped me a lot and so informative.

LINK

Judie
November 11, 2016, 2:19 am

The mass media do not exist in a vacuum

LINK

Judie
November 11, 2016, 2:22 am

How do I answer the question about the mass media not existing in a vacuum
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume
that you are happy with it. Ok

https://www.communicationtheory.org/functions-of-mass-communication/ 4/9
4/5/2019 Functions of Mass Communication

LINK

nati
November 12, 2016, 12:32 am

very good points.has answered my assignment very well

LINK

Yeshwanth Gollapalli
December 22, 2016, 4:05 pm

Thank you very much.I’d prefer this website than my text. Helpful.

LINK

chileshe Musonda
March 6, 2017, 4:14 pm

what is the importance of the surveillance function of the media?how would it affect
communication if it had never existed?

LINK

Mohamed Simbi Koroma

March 24, 2017, 4:02 pm

Thanks for giving us such an opportunity to know about Mass Communication Theory and its
functions.

LINK

Montseng
April 5, 2017, 2:19 am
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume
that you are happy with it. Ok

https://www.communicationtheory.org/functions-of-mass-communication/ 5/9
4/5/2019 Functions of Mass Communication

Is there a difference between functions of mass communication and roles of mass

communication?

LINK

ugo david onyedikachi

April 9, 2017, 12:49 am

Thanks for updating me on my Reaserch Topic.

LINK

sajid maqbool
May 8, 2017, 5:12 pm

i wants to functions of mass media for individual

LINK

David Jena
November 8, 2017, 8:00 pm

straight to the point was assisted with my assignment

LINK

M. Farooq
February 17, 2018, 8:44 pm

This is so informative. Please include these functions of mass communication as well.

1) Interpretation
2) Linkage
3) Transmission of Values/Socialization
4) Entertainment

WeLINK
use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume
that you are happy with it. Ok

https://www.communicationtheory.org/functions-of-mass-communication/ 6/9
4/5/2019 Functions of Mass Communication

sunny
April 1, 2018, 1:38 am

This helps, thank you

LINK

Alhaji Musa Liman

May 21, 2018, 5:01 am

This is an excellent research which has further widen my horizon as a Nass Communication
scholar

LINK

David wanami
August 7, 2018, 12:26 pm

Kudos! Big help

LINK

Bako
August 14, 2018, 7:35 pm

very explanatory … thanks

LINK

Elsie Maduko
October 20, 2018, 3:03 am

as I’m busy preparing for my exam……really helped thank,clear and accurate .

LINK

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume
that you are happy with it. Ok

https://www.communicationtheory.org/functions-of-mass-communication/ 7/9
4/5/2019 Functions of Mass Communication

Nimra
December 24, 2018, 8:05 pm

This helped me a lot thanks a lot

LINK

Fanekiso Enhle
March 24, 2019, 9:22 pm

So profound

LINK

Leave a Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Comment

We useSave
cookies to ensure
my name, thatand
email, we website
give youinthe best
this experience
browser onnext
for the our time
website. If you continue to use this site we will assume
I comment.
that you are happy with it. Ok

https://www.communicationtheory.org/functions-of-mass-communication/ 8/9
4/5/2019 Functions of Mass Communication

Submit

Next post: Social Marketing Theory

Previous post: Identity Management Theory

S
To search, type and hit enter Search

C
Advertising, Public relations, Marketing and Consumer Behavior

Business Communication

Communication / General

Communication Barriers

Communication in Practice

Communication Models

Cultural Communication

Development Communication

Group Communication

Intercultural Communication

Interpersonal Communication

Mass Communication

Organisational Communication

Political Communication

Psychology, Behavioral And Social Science

Technical Communication

Visual Communication

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume
that you are happy with it. Ok

https://www.communicationtheory.org/functions-of-mass-communication/ 9/9