A Study On The Media Construction Of Outlook On Heroes Of Generation Z

Generation Z,born between 1995 and 2009,is a generation that grew up with the development of the Internet in China,and is therefore also known as "the Internet Generation".As a uniquely human cultural phenomenon,heroes document and witness the human progress of the spiritual landscape and cultural advancement.In the New Journey of the New Era,the young people of Generation Z have the responsibility of "achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation".They need to hold up the banner of the great heroic spirit and gather strength,maintaining the heroic spirit of moving forward when the going gets tough.The formation of human perceptions cannot be achieved without the reception and construction of social information.However,in the current era of "decentralized" communication,Generation Z may be influenced by diverse thinking such as historical nihilism in the process of constructing their outlook on heroes.And they are presumably impacted by online youth subcultures including Buddha-like Youngsters and Lying Flat Youngsters.Therefore,it is an issue of contemporary significance to identify the current characteristics of the heroic outlook of the Generation Z group and to clarify the how the Generation Z construct outlook on hero through the use of media.This study is entitled "The Media Construction of Generation Z’s Outlook of Heroes".Applying Grounded Theory,it explores the current characteristics of Generation Z’s outlook on heroes.Futhermore,this study constructs a theoretical model to explain how the Generation Z construct their view of heroes through the media.The first chapter introduces the research design.Focusing on the Generation Z,this study uses the methodology of Grounded Theory to conduct semi-structured interviews with 30 Generation Z members as a means of collecting primary data and then constructing a theoretical model through a three-level coding process.The second chapter presents the findings of the study.Firstly,it is pointed out that Generation Z’s outlook on heroes is "decentralized-recentralized".In particular,the"decentralized" feature is reflected in the multiple channels through which Generation Z obtains heroic information,and the fact that they release powerful media content productivity in the circle propagation.In addition,the impact of diverse thinking and undesirable culture on the Internet on the mainstream view of heroes is possible.The "recentralized" feature is reflected in the fact that the definition of hero,heroic spirit and evaluation criteria in the minds of Generation Z have not deviated from the mainstream view of heroes.Secondly,this chapter analyses the process by which the Generation Z initiate the construction of heroic views through incidental exposure to heroic messages in media channels.Finally,the chapter explains how the Generation Z respond to misconceptions such as questioning,derogatory and insulting heroes on the Internet by refusing to receive,resisting reading and critically reflecting on their behaviour and attitudes.The third chapter explains the theoretical model of the "Media construction of Generation Z’s outlook on heroes".The theoretical model suggests that Generation Z,who grew up in the Internet context,has a special preference for media use.They have their own media preferences,and they select some of the information they are exposed to based on their media choices,including heroic information.And the heroic information they are exposed to has specific sources and access methods,and they judge and filter the information based on their own media literacy,thus shaping their own view of heroes.The ideological education in schools and family education also have an impact on Generation Z’s view of heroes,but this influence is not passive,but changes according to their age,experience and literacy,which means that they maintain or renew their ideas.The fourth chapter focuses on the behavioural influence of the heroic view on Generation Z.In terms of behavioural influence,Generation Z will have both medial and realistic behaviours.After constructing their own view of heroes through media channels,the Generation Z group will develop emotional identification,which will promote behavioural identification.And behavioural identification will in turn promote the affirmation of heroes,so that they will deepen their understanding of heroes and hero culture in the practice of their concepts.In the era of "decentralized" communication,understanding the current situation of the hero concept of Generation Z and the process of its media construction can help promote the cultivation and practice of the mainstream hero concept in China,establish a social and moral ethos that reveres heroes,and build a strong spiritual momentum for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.