The Impact of Media on Public Perception of Science: A Detailed Report

This report examines the impact of media on public perception of science, focusing on how films and technological advancements shape societal views. It analyzes the movie 'Ironman' as a case study, exploring its influence on public opinion regarding technology's benefits and potential risks, including the development of weapons. The report also presents findings from a public survey, revealing attitudes toward technology, the role of private firms and government, and the impact of media on shaping these perceptions. Furthermore, it discusses the implications of self-driving car technology and concludes by evaluating media's dual role in both promoting and negatively affecting public perception of science, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and media literacy in understanding scientific advancements and their societal impact. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of how media influences public perception and the role of technology in shaping society.

Public Perception and
the Media

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION:..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................2
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES :..............................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION:
Media has played a crucial role in changing the perception of people. It has a great
influence on society and people. Also, innovation done by science has given new tools and
equipments to people (Chang and Freedman, 2018) Along with this, the role of movies has
created a great impact on life of people. It has described the reality that exists in society. This
report will describe public perception about science.
TASK 1
Ironman – It is an American superhero and marvel based movie. It is based on how an engineer
build a powerful exoskeleton system. This was built to protect from life threatening incident. It
also shows that how machine and technology can be used by humans. Tony stark (actor)
innovate a small arc reactor. From this a suit is build that help to escape from terrorist.
This movie was highly appraised by public. It showed them that how technology can be
used to fight against terrorism (Legood, McGrath, and Lee, 2016) It also showed audience that
how an individual can use technology in right way. But negative perception was that if
technology is reached in wrong hands it can lead to war or fight among each other. Also, it can
be used is making harmful weapons that can lead to destruction.
TASK 2
A research was conducted to know about perception of public. For this 10 open ended
was asked to them
1 How was the movie?
Most of the people said that moive was very good. They gave positive response of movie. They
said that it showed how technology can be helpful in developing weapons.
2 Does it give a positive impact on use of technology?
Audience perception regarding this movie was positive. They said that if people goals are
positive, it can be used in protecting it against hazards.
3 Can technology be used in making weapons ?

Yes, people said that technology can be used in developing weapons. Government and private
firms can work together for this.
4 Technology can be used to fight against terrorism?
Audience said that advanced weapons can be made by using technology. A proper suit just like
Ironman can be developed in the future.
5 A proper database must be maintained or not ?
Yes, many people said that having proper and effective database will help in storing of data. In
this strong security measures must be implemented.
6 Private firms must work with government or not ?
People though that private firms must work with government so that it defence can be made
stronger.
7 What was the motive of Tony stark?
People said that main aim was to prevent terrorist from using weapon that was having some
technical problem.
8 What message does the movie give?
It gave message that experiment done on technology will lead to destruction. It will result in
creating conflicts and wars. Also, those people must be arrested who uses other technological
equipments.
9 Should people like Stane must be arrested ?
Most of the people said that yes people like stane must be arrested in case of using technology to
harm others.
TASK 3
Self driving car can take on real road trip – A new navigation system can help people to drive
cars on less travelled roads. It will use a 3 -D map that will help driver in marking off road with
centimetre level precision (Holbrook and Kisamore, 2018) The navigation system will take

people to unfamiliar roads. It will also help in gauging edges of road. Smartphone can be
connected to GPS system. It will show information about rules, speed limit, etc. This technology
can be used in driverless cars. The sensors that are installed in it will work in different weather
conditions.
The concerns related to this is the navigation system can also take people in danger zone
area.
TASK 4
It is very hard to say that whether media make a positive perception of public about
science or not. It is because it shows benefits of science by providing the latest data and
information about technology. But on the other hand it creates a negative impact on people. It
shows them how technology will affect their health (Park, 2016). Also, what are the
disadvantage of using it.
The perception of public depends on their way of thinking that is how they view science.
Also, media has changed perception of people. Many people wants the proof the news that they
hear or listen. It has given an insight of future life on earth.

REFERENCES :
Books and Journals :
Chang, K.K. and Freedman, E., 2018. WHO’s Media Guidelines in the Press and in Public
Perception. Journal of Media Ethics, pp.1-12.
Holbrook, T.J. and Kisamore, J.L., 2018. The effects of media slant on public perception of an
organization in crisis. Social Influence, 13(2), pp.91-103.
Legood, A., McGrath, M., and Lee, A., 2016. Exploring how social workers experience and
cope with public perception of their profession. British Journal of Social Work, 46(7),
pp.1872-1889.
Park, D., 2016. Media Bias: How the Bias Affects Public Perception of the Media and What
Can Be Done to Further Prevent Erosion of Media-Public Relationship.