Advertising and Its Impact on Society
Advertising and its Impact on Society
Everywhere you look, whether it is on television, magazines, the internet or billboards, there are dozens of products or services that are pushed onto consumers. The firms that are responsible for creating these advertisements are paid to persuade the consumer that he or she needs the product being advertised. The techniques used in the advertising industry usually focus on the benefits that will be brought to the consumer than on the actual product itself, giving people false hope for a better life if they buy their products.
Why are people so easily influenced by advertising? One only needs to turn on their television to see why people are tempted to buy the latest and greatest gadgets on the market. Some credit can be given to the king of infomercials - Ronco. Everyday, a different product is being peddled which promises to lighten the load while working in the kitchen or cleaning the house. Sometimes, these products look miraculous and even too good to be true, but people buy them anyway. They are repeatedly promised and even guaranteed by actual user testimony that the product works. For example, Oxy-Clean guarantees to get all kinds of stains out of fabric and carpets.
Advertising has multiple benefits for our society. First, advertising allows people to become aware of products and/or services that can help them meet their needs. These needs may be of modest importance, such as a new stain remover for clothing, or could even save someone's life if it is an advertisement for a drug that get someone to go to the doctor to treat symptoms of a serious disease when they otherwise would not have.
Second, advertising allows people to be more informed and can perform a public-service. In the case of political advertising, the viewer may learn valuable information about the candidate or his/her opponent. Advertising for charities generates donations that can be used to serve society.
Third, advertising
Everywhere you look, whether it is on television, magazines, the internet or billboards, there are dozens of products or services that are pushed onto consumers. The firms that are responsible for creating these advertisements are paid to persuade the consumer that he or she needs the product being advertised. The techniques used in the advertising industry usually focus on the benefits that will be brought to the consumer than on the actual product itself, giving people false hope for a better life if they buy their products.
Why are people so easily influenced by advertising? One only needs to turn on their television to see why people are tempted to buy the latest and greatest gadgets on the market. Some credit can be given to the king of infomercials - Ronco. Everyday, a different product is being peddled which promises to lighten the load while working in the kitchen or cleaning the house. Sometimes, these products look miraculous and even too good to be true, but people buy them anyway. They are repeatedly promised and even guaranteed by actual user testimony that the product works. For example, Oxy-Clean guarantees to get all kinds of stains out of fabric and carpets.
Advertising has multiple benefits for our society. First, advertising allows people to become aware of products and/or services that can help them meet their needs. These needs may be of modest importance, such as a new stain remover for clothing, or could even save someone's life if it is an advertisement for a drug that get someone to go to the doctor to treat symptoms of a serious disease when they otherwise would not have.
Second, advertising allows people to be more informed and can perform a public-service. In the case of political advertising, the viewer may learn valuable information about the candidate or his/her opponent. Advertising for charities generates donations that can be used to serve society.
Third, advertising