Great Depression

Definition

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s, marked by massive unemployment, a decline in consumer spending, and widespread poverty. It profoundly affected various aspects of society, including media and communication, leading to significant research efforts like the Payne Fund Studies, which sought to understand the impact of media on youth during this turbulent time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Depression resulted in an estimated 25% unemployment rate in the United States, leaving millions without jobs or income.
2. It caused severe declines in industrial production, causing many businesses to fail and prompting government intervention to stabilize the economy.
3. The Payne Fund Studies were initiated during this period to examine the effects of movies on children's behavior, reflecting concerns about media's role during economic hardship.
4. The Great Depression led to significant changes in consumer behavior, with families forced to cut spending and prioritize basic needs over luxuries.
5. The global impact of the Great Depression was felt across many countries, leading to economic instability and contributing to political tensions that influenced events leading up to World War II.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Depression influence the development of the Payne Fund Studies regarding media effects?
  • The Great Depression created a sense of urgency around understanding how media, particularly films, affected youth behavior during a time of social and economic turmoil. Concerns over the moral implications of entertainment led researchers to investigate whether movies could be harmful or beneficial for children. The Payne Fund Studies emerged as a response to these anxieties, aiming to provide empirical evidence on media influence as society grappled with economic challenges.
• What were some of the key findings of the Payne Fund Studies, and how did they reflect societal concerns during the Great Depression?
  • The Payne Fund Studies revealed that movies had a significant impact on children's attitudes and behaviors, with findings suggesting both positive and negative influences. For instance, while some studies indicated that films could promote social values and moral lessons, others raised alarms about potential desensitization to violence or inappropriate content. These findings resonated with broader societal concerns about youth behavior during the Great Depression when families were struggling and worried about their children's future.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Great Depression on media research initiatives like the Payne Fund Studies and their relevance to contemporary media effects studies.
  • The long-term effects of the Great Depression on media research are profound, as it laid a foundation for systematic investigations into how media shapes public perception and behavior. The Payne Fund Studies highlighted the need for rigorous research methodologies in examining media's impact, influencing future studies in communication and psychology. Today, these early initiatives are reflected in ongoing research addressing how modern media affects various demographics, emphasizing a continuous concern about media's role in shaping societal norms amid changing cultural contexts.

Related terms

Stock Market Crash of 1929: A major stock market collapse that occurred in late October 1929, triggering the Great Depression and leading to a dramatic loss of wealth and confidence in the economy.

New Deal: A series of programs and reforms introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s aimed at recovering from the Great Depression through economic recovery, job creation, and social welfare.

Cultural Distrust: The skepticism toward mass media and popular culture that emerged during the Great Depression as people questioned its influence on public opinion and behavior amid social upheaval.