ABSTRACT
Shoemakers article makes the argument that two evolutions determine humans interest in news: biological evolution and cultural evolution. Shoemaker, Chang, and Brendlinger (1987) consider four dimensions of deviance in relation to news media: novelty, conflict, sensationalism, and prominence. Shoemaker theorizes that there are two explanations to account for the surveillance function of news. By surveillance function (see Lasswell 1960), Shoemaker is referring to the role of the media in monitoring the environment for threats to well-being or the status quo. The cultural explanation of news is based on the proposition that children are constantly taught to be interested in news and to be wary of their news environment. Kids learn to stay away from strangers, not to do drugs, and to question alternative religious views. They are taught certain news, that people and actions can harm them so they need to be on constant lookout.
