Final answer:
A) True
The statement that the media have had a great influence on people's beliefs and attitudes is true. Historical and contemporary research demonstrates that the media shapes public opinion, political preferences, and societal norms, despite evolving theories about the extent of its influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that the media have had a great influence on people's beliefs and attitudes. From Walter Lippmann's observations in the 1920s, which led to the hypodermic theory, to the minimal effects theory in the 1930s and 1940s, the role of the media in shaping public opinion has been extensively debated and researched. The cultivation theory developed in the 1970s proposed that media develops a person's world view by presenting a version of reality. Furthermore, George Washington University Professor Robert Entman highlighted the media's role in shaping political preferences and evaluations.
Studies have shown that the way media frames issues influences public opinion on topics such as poverty, crime, and foreign affairs. The media has also been linked to the socialization process, influencing norms, values, and beliefs throughout our lives. While traditional media once served as gatekeepers of information, the rise of the Internet and social media has changed the landscape, with a growing concern over misinformation and bias. Nonetheless, in different ways and to varying degrees, the media influences public opinion and societal norms.