Analyzing "V J Day in Times Square": A Communication Theory Perspective, Slides of Theories of Communication

Download Analyzing "V J Day in Times Square": A Communication Theory Perspective and more Slides Theories of Communication in PDF only on Docsity!

Seven Traditions of

Communication Theory

“V J Day in Times Square”

The Construction of the Most Romantic

Moment Ever Photographed

“V J Day in Times Square”

 One of three

photographs taken by

Alfred Eisenstaedt for

August 14, 1944 issue of

Life Magazine

 Also known as “The

Kiss”

 The participants were

strangers and the sailor

was drunk

“V J Day in Times Square”

Constructing the Moment

Research Purpose

What connections do audiences make

between gender and romance when

they view this image?

Socio-psychological Tradition

• Communication truths can be discovered by careful, systematic observations
• Finding causal relationships using questionnaires and/or experiments is key

Research Question What relationships exist between “ V J Day in Times Square ” and perceptions of dominance/submission?

How does it persuade? How does it shape knowledge?

Cybernetic Tradition

 Study information processing, feedback and control  Understanding the “systems approach” (i.e., all elements are mutually dependent) is key Research Question Given the layout of the page, what is the relationship between “V J Day in Times Square” and the other “Victory Celebrations” photographs?

Semiotic Tradition

 Study of signs and symbols; meanings are in us, not the sign/symbol  Understanding how the “symbols” and their “meanings” align differently for different audiences is key

Research Question Do male and female audiences interpret the woman’s body positioning as “romantically receptive?”

Critical Tradition

 Mass media is used to distract people from recognizing unjust distributions of power in society  Understanding that power imbalances exist and people are harmed by them are key Research Question If Life Magazine had published the other versions of this photo also, would audiences accept the romance narrative?

Phenomenological Tradition

 Socio-cultural tradition from the standpoint of the individual  Emphasizing people’s perceptions and interpretations of their own experiences is key Research Question In reality , the “V J Day in Times Square” kiss was a coercive act. What does that mean to the average man?

Ethical Perspective

 Ends do not justify the means always  Finding the best standard to measure the appropriateness of an artifact for a given purpose is key  Should appeal to more than one standard Research Question Is it appropriate to perpetuate the romantic narrative associated with this image?