GISAT 160 Essays

GISAT 160 Essays GISAT 160 Essay GISAT 160 Essay Name Course Instructor Date : GISAT 160 1. What is the thesis (or central claim) of this text? The author seeks to highlight the health and psychological effects associated to television addiction. Television is viewed by many across the world, but people are becoming increasingly subconscious that it leads to addiction. Many people perceive addiction to being of chemical substances such as drugs like heroin and morphine. However, this text contradicts this and shows the chemical activity inside the human anatomy when people watch television. The chemical activities involving the brain and nervous system are related to those of a drug addict. Research is also used to show that those who spend most of their time on TV experience withdrawal symptoms similar to those addicted to chemical substances. 2. What are the author’s motives for writing the text (authorial intent)? The author aims at educating the masses on the need to reduce risks associated with television addiction. The risks are psychological, social and even health risks such as obesity and sleep deprivation. He aims at proving this addiction exists as a reality and should not be ignored or disputed. â€Å"Of course not all addictions are chemical.† This is according to the author who is demystifying the various types of addiction. 3. What arguments does the author use to support the thesis? A variety of arguments by the author verifies his claims. There are research and studies that support claims of the text. For instance, the article from Eastern Province Herald, in South Africa, which conducted an experiment between two families from different socio-economic status not to watch TV for just a month. The poor family gave in within the first week, and the other family members were affected by cases of depression. Their feelings were similar to losing a friend and had negative psychological effects. He also uses research by scientists conducted on lab rats to show opioid-stimulants induce behavior of an addictive nature similar to that of watching TV. 4. Identify and explain the methods of argumentation used by the author (such as appeals to the intellect or emotions). The author employs the use of sources of authority whereby he applies the use of a professional opinion in Psychotherapist Thomas Mulholland research work. The research showed that within 30 seconds of watching TV Alpha brain waves were produced. These are associated with losing focus and an over receptive, consciousness state. This supports his argument that watching television is an inactive process. 5. Identify and explain the assumptions (e.g., cultural, scientific, political, social) the author uses to support the thesis. The author uses the assumption that advertising agencies and the government are always out to make money with little or no concern for the consumers. This is his explanation as to why the television is flooded with attractive and entertaining advertisements while using public figures for the consumer to relate with when using the product. He also assumes because of an individual’s emotional instability, they tend to escape reality through the TV. 6. Identify and explain instances in which the author employs flawed logic or faulty reasoning. Use the â€Å"fallacies in reasoning† handout for explanations. The author uses generalizations to support his statements. He uses the assumption that television turns everyone into zombies while not everyone is influenced by the TV as most people are. The generalization from the research that people of all generations are influenced by the violent programs on TV to have an overestimation of the violent situations in reality is not conclusive. Some people are influenced by personal experiences and a violent environment in the way they view violent situations. 7. Assess the reliability of the evidence used by the author by identifying and explaining each of the following: a) Which statements are factually inaccurate? The claim that television turns everyone into a zombie is not a proven fact. Just because majorities of individuals become inactive and non-responsive when watching TV, does not apply to all individuals. b) Which statements or data are deceptive? Statements like â€Å"it brainwashes consumers to throw away money† is not true. Some consumers buy products whether they are advertised on not. Sometimes the consumer is influenced by personal choice and preference but not brainwashed. c) What evidence is not relevant to supporting the thesis? The statistics that 75% of women in America think they are overweight do not fully support the report. The author assumes that these women are influenced by women on TV who are slimmer. However, this is not proven as different factors may influence this perception. d) What relevant evidence or information has been omitted? The writer omits information on the other time spent by Average Americans despite the four hours on TV; the rest of the time is not accounted. There are no clear figures and statistics on the total number of Americans suffering from obesity and sleep deprivation. The writer just sites many TV addicts suffer from this, while other categories of individuals also have similar health issues. 8. Identify and explain any words or phrases used to support the thesis that are vague, unclear, or ambiguous. â€Å"An addictive mind control device† this statement refers to the television and does not clearly indicate how mind control occurs. He only uses the element of the early stages of hypnosis to show mind control. However, not much research and evidence has been used to show how a person is mind controlled by the television. The statement is thus deemed vague. Moreover, hypnosis is not proven to have an effect on everyone.