For viewers who share the same social beliefs as Archie, authors Baran and Davis define this within the framework of reception studies: "a theory focused on audience which focuses on how different types of audience members make sense of specific forms of content” (218). From this theory arise two opposing points of view, the preferred reading and the oppositional reading. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Baran and Davis describe preferred reading as “the producer’s intended meaning of a piece of content; supposed to reinforce the status quo” (218). Lear believed that by using satire to address difficult topics, the audience would have the opportunity to see that Archie's thought process had no basis in truth. Bunker's ideas were shaped more by what he did not know to be true rather than by what he could prove. Presumably the message behind Lear's All in the Family was simply that bigotry is not only unfair, but makes no sense. This message has reached and resonated with millions of people; This leads one to pause and ask whether today's television news about a display of anger has the same impact? You might also be interested in How to Read When You Hate Reading: Tips + Reading Exploration Unlike the previous century, the accelerated pace of life and the mass transition to online learning, bringing people to quick and easy solutions. Then you have oppositional reading, Baran and Davis state that this occurs "when an audience member develops interpretations of content that are in direct opposition to a dominant reading" (219). In the show, you can see an oppositional reading in the viewer praising Bunker for standing up for his beliefs and "telling it like it is." You would think that making fun of intolerance on a big stage like television would open the door to more intolerance, but that wasn't the case. Each time Bunker's ignorance was revealed, we learned that not knowing always bred more prejudice than knowledge. Baran and Davis expand on this theory with the theory of selective perception and exposure. This theory suggests that “people will modify the meaning of messages, so that they become consistent with pre-existing attitudes and beliefs” (107). This theory suggests that if people do not identify with a character, they would be less likely to watch the character. show because they would “selectively” avoid it. For example, it is more likely that a prejudiced person would be more likely to admire Archie's character, viewing his views as more valid than Mike's, thus viewing him as a well-rounded individual. (Vidmar and Rokeach). Lear hoped that All in the Family would help change taboo conversations from angry and defensive to bigots becoming the laughing stock of their communities. It was an image that, according to some sitcom critics, many white men took offense to after being seen as clowns in the eyes of the nation. Lear believed that laughter was a universal concept that would help unite society with a storyline that highlighted some of humanity's flaws. While some viewers applaud Archie for his racist views, others praise the show for mocking bigotry. Researchers found All in the Family had three groups to thank..