2. UNYTEDACADEMY
W H I T E PA P E R
What is sensationalism? How does it affect us?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines
sensationalism as “something designed to arouse
a strong reaction by exaggeration and lurid
detail.” The Random House Dictionary defines it as Sensationalist media
an intention to produce "a startling or thrilling engage in a process of
impression or to excite and please vulgar tastes." deliberately trying to
create a strong
As with the dictionary definitions, a number of impression or reaction by
scholarly definitions of sensationalism focus on the exaggerating
effects on the human sensory system. something’s importance,
Sensationalism stimulates "unwholesome glamorizing it, or focusing
emotional responses" (Mott, 1962, p. 442), “shocks on lurid details.
and thrills our moral and aesthetic
sensibilities” (Tannenbaum & Lynch, 1960), In effect, sensationalism
emphasizes "emotion for emotion's sake" (Emery & creates emotion for
Emery, 1978), and arouses emotion and empathy emotion’s sake.
(Graber, 1994).
According to Daniels (cited in Tannenbaum &
Lynch, 1960, p. 382) sensational news stories are
"underdistanced"—that is, they violate a
comfortable psychological distance between
audience members and their perceptions of
events in the physical world. Thus, sensational
stories provoke sensory and emotional reactions
that are heightened beyond that which society
deems appropriate to everyday life.
3. UNYTEDACADEMY
W H I T E PA P E R
Sensationalism = Higher ratings = Higher profits
The profit motive is most often identified as the
impetus for sensational media practices.
Sensational “news” is designed to attract attention
Profit-driven media in the name of high viewer ratings.
organizations are under
increasing pressure to In a fiercely competitive industry, profit-driven
boost sales and ratings media organizations are under increasing pressure
by focusing attention on to boost sales and ratings by focusing attention on
lurid, highly emotional lurid, highly emotional stories, often featuring a
stories. bizarre cast of characters and a gripping plot, but
devoid of significance to most people's lives. From
Paris Hilton to the “Octomom” to John Edwards’
love life, major news and media outlets have
become more and more dependent on these
kinds of tabloid soap operas to keep profits high.
But is excitement what the market really wants, or
is it simply expected because of a precedent set
by corporate-owned media? More importantly,
what effect does this kind of sensationalism have
on today’s young people?
George Gerbner has studied the effects of
television violence (one particularly disturbing
form of sensationalism) for more than thirty years.
Through his studies, Dr. Gerbner has found that
violence seen on television does not promote
violent behavior. It does much worse; it creates a
sense of fear of becoming a victim.
4. UNYTEDACADEMY
W H I T E PA P E R
This, in turn, increases feelings of insecurity and
dependence. Children who grow up in a home
where television is viewed heavily tend to assume
roles either a victim or a victimizer. Gerbner says
that children are not born knowing these roles. It is
the kind of stories they see, day in and day out,
that teach them how to act.
When we are subject to a
continual barrage of
The facts of a media sensationalism, it’s
easy to lose perspective.
sensationalized life
Sexual content on TV linked to teen pregnancy.
RAND study (nonprofit research organization)
Sexualization of girls associated with eating
disorders, low self-esteem and depression.
American Psychological Association Task Force
Average Americans spend 13 years of their lives
watching TV (about 142 hours per month).
Neilsen Research
By the time the average U.S. child starts
elementary school, he/she will have seen 8,000
murders and 100,00 acts of violence on TV.
New Scientist
40% of newly identified cases of anorexia are in
girls 15-19 years old
National Eating Disorders Association
5. UNYTEDACADEMY
W H I T E PA P E R
40% of newly identified cases of anorexia are in
girls 15-19 years old
National Eating Disorders Association
When we are subject to a continual barrage of
media sensationalism, it’s easy to lose perspective.
Emotionally-charged subject matter causes
Profit-driven media chemicals to be released in our bodies. These
organizations are under chemicals decrease activity in the part of the
increasing pressure to brain that controls decision-making. They also
boost sales and ratings trigger the release of stress hormones.
by focusing attention on
lurid, highly emotional The result? Our decisions become less thoughtful,
stories. more impulsive. We feel “amped up.” For
adolescents, whose brains are still developing, this
can be a toxic combination. Add the intense
peer pressure that most preteens/teens
experience, and kids may adopt values that, while
alluring on the surface, compromise health, put
down education, and promote reckless behavior.
What can be done?
The Unyted Academy is part of a massive effort by
concerned media and other professionals to
inoculate young women against sensationalism’s
harmful effects. Its unique Screening Out
Sensationalism workshop helps participants:
