The difference between a mass culture and a popular culture?

Answer 1

Mass Culture is an amalgam of ideas, values, beliefs, attitudes , perspective due to common exposure of the population to cultural activities, norms, traditions and same media sources. Mass culture is made available to the masses either with the help of mass media like broadcast, print, internet or by word of mouth.Mass culture emerged due to the development of Print and Broadcast which were strong enough to alter perception, convince people to follow ideas on a large scale.

Popular Culture on the other hand refers to ideas, attitudes, opinions, thoughts and other phenomena within the mainstream of of given culture.It is often associated with western or American way of living.It is heavily influenced by mass media and changes according to time and place.According to popular culture "mass culture gets produced for mass consumption". There is a constant struggle between resistance of subordinate groups and forceful implementation.It is always under critical analysis as many cultural groups deem it to be superficial, dangerous for the society as it commercializes thoughts and corrupts societies. It prevails in any society, it may be the vernacular culture, language which are kept away from the political influences and pressure.It is observed to offer relaxation and hence can also be called manipulative It appeals to broad spectrum of audience,it is a result of urbanization, industrialization.example , MTV, Pop Music, Heavy Metal, Hippie Culture, Films, Soap Operas, Theater and stage shows, Novels,etc.. Romanticism in literature was not a widely accepted topic, novels like Lady Chatterley's Lover has undergone sever scrutiny and was banned in most parts of Europe, this an example of the aversion society has towards popular culture.