Viewers of the series Cops are victims of the ideas of the series, their perception of what happens in the series in relation to reality is altered and molded into what the series wants let us see. The ideas we take away from the show are things like the cops are always the winners and the majority of criminals are uneducated drug addicts, the majority of whom are African-American. Even though viewers may not realize the ideas the show is putting in their heads, they are receiving the message without knowing it. Using Gerber's culture theory, the process by which the series Cops reshapes conceptions of criminals and cops in reality for its viewers illustrates the effects the series has on heavy and light users, how they are affected by mean world syndrome and the long haul. The term affects what the show has about its viewers. Heavy users of the show Cops become an easy target for the show's messages. Heavy users are constantly exposed to the portrait of a heroic cop who will stop at nothing to keep these stupid criminals off the streets. While a light viewer who doesn't get a lot of exposure wouldn't be as affected as those who are heavy users, they are nonetheless able to absorb some of the messages put out by the series. In the article Culture Theory, he pointed out how excessive exposure of a television show would increase its viewers' chances of becoming victims of the show's ideas: "People who watch a lot of television are likely to be more influenced by the way television is broadcast. The world is framed by television programs than are individuals who watch less of it, particularly on subjects of which the viewer has little direct experience.” (“Cultivation Theory”). The more exposure you have to something, most of the time they... middle of paper ... on the show. The more they are exposed, the more they find themselves trapped in the ideals of the series. Viewers may not be able to determine or even say how they are able to formulate their perspectives on crime, because the ideas that were implanted in them gradually grew within them as they watched the show daily. After watching Cops, viewers are left with a whole new perspective and outlook on life, they are victims of the show's ideas that have been instilled in them. Works Cited “Theory of Culture” from the University of Twente. January 23, 2005. The web. March 12, 2014. Daniel Chandler “Cultivation Theory” and Web. March 12, 2014. Davie, G. “Cultivation Theory: How Violence Might Affect Us” Blog entry. Mass communication theory. March 12, 2010. The web. March 12, 2014. Sabrina Ricci “Communication Theories: Culture Theory” Yahoo. November 1, 2009. The web. March 12.2014.