Mass Media

Mass Media is where some people are 'opinion leaders' who influence others.

This is a two step flow diagram to show how mass media works;

The two step diagram shows that an opinion on something or someone starts off made from the 'opinion leader' which then spreads to an individual who is in social contact with the opinion leader. In my opinion I feel that people should not follow others and that everyone should have their own opinion on something or someone. On the other hand, you shouldn't follow the crowd to fit in, you aren't going to be an individual if you don't have your own opinions and thoughts on life, in other words, you can't rely on someone else's. 

Another example of this is Social Media which is also influenced by the two step flow. In the past, the opinion leader would have been in your situated culture, so someone you are in direct contact with. Nowadays, through blogs, twitter, Facebook etc, it might be someone in your mediated culture, so someone you 'know' through the media. In other words if you see your role model, Beyonce, Kendall Jenner or any other celebrity tweet or publish something through the media, then you all of a sudden believe and agree with them and spread it. Fair enough if you're a big fan of someone famous and you agree with what they have to say, I still feel that everyone should opinionative within themselves and not influenced by others.