The average media consumer in it's natural habitat
Repeated ideas in television and movies can affect the behaviors of those who observe them. Often times this can lead to false or exaggerated perceptions. This phenomenon is known as
cultivation theory.
The media can influence us by presenting distorted information or repeatedly defining a certain ideal.
Seriously, put down the Vogue and pick up a doughnut.
Examples of this can be seen today whether it's women who believe that they have to be unnaturally skinny like girls in magazines or people in an uproar about a threat which is either very rare or not as dangerous as portrayed. We can see this with the public reaction to media coverage to last year's outbreak of swine flu or the infamous “mad cow disease”. People tend to react to perceived threats of danger to their lives even if there is little or no reason to worry.
"That's 100% pinot noir. Single vineyard. They don't even make it any more."
It seems that many subcultures are susceptible to cultivation theory as well. When Alexander Payne's
Sideways hit theaters in 2004, wine enthusiasts everywhere took notice to protagonist Miles' (Played by Paul Giamatti) distaste for Merlot. The character actually impacted the wine market due to a sudden decrease in consumers buying Merlot and an increase in Pinot Nior, his preference.
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