Definition of American Pop Culture
Popular culture, often negatively called "group think," can influence purchasing decisions and lifestyle choices. American pop culture is the attitudes and perspectives shared by the majority of United States citizens. These ideals are predominately fueled my mass media outlets. The term "group think" is used as an insult by people who perceive themselves on the fringes of society. Their belief is that pop culture is trivial and lacks critical thought.
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History
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In the early 19th century, "popular culture" was used to describe the lower class and less educated. At the conclusion of the second World War, the term began to be associated with consumer buying habits and socially accepted behaviors for the majority. Ithaca College History Professor Michael Trotti says, "This has been a development of the last two centuries; in 1800, America had very little original culture at all, popular or otherwise." Toward the late 1960s the term was shortened to "pop culture" to describe the rebellious habits of the youngest consumers.
Fashion
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The clothing people wear is one of the most identifiable elements of American pop culture. This usually defines a style of dress that is popular in a one- to three-year time span. Clothing is most often influenced by celebrities or television personalities. The region of the country a person lives in will also determine the fashion he chooses. Well-known designer labels such as Calvin Klein or Rocawear have become symbols of pop culture in fashion.
Television
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Television has influenced American pop culture since the 1950s. An appearance of a product or a person on a popular television program can turn that person or product into a household name overnight. It can also have the adverse effect by creating infamy and turning that product or person into something that is socially unacceptable. Television is the gateway to opening debate about popular opinions.
Music
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Music in American pop culture transcends American borders. Due to the creation of MTV and other subsequent channels, American popular music can not only be heard in other countries but it can also be seen. One of the little-known truths about popular American music is that some American artists are not popular in American at all until they have toured the globe to promote their music. Once the record labels see their potential, then they will back them financially for consumption for an American audience.
Films
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American films are the perpetrators of delivering a popularly accepted view of American life. Since the 1990s and the rise of independent film, larger studios have moved toward producing films with global appeal from an American standpoint. Hollywood has been honored with serving as the globally identified geographical location of American cinematic pop culture.
Global Influence
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Studies performed at Globalization of Culture Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland show that American corporations are establishing themselves in foreign countries and using the impact of American pop culture to profit. Their influence is also promoting American pop culture ideals through business models and practices.
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- Photo Credit flaf of movie 1 image by Yuriy Panyukov from Fotolia.com
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