Cycles in Symbol Production

The Case of Popular Music

Bibliographic Data

ID5073742
AuthorsR A Peterson (0000-0002-0431-6913), David G Berger
Year1975
Volume40
Issue2
Pages158
Publication date1975-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Sociological Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-1224 • E-ISSN: 1939-8271
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/2094343
OpenAlexW2317310693
LanguageEN
Citations received275
References cited23

This study questions the common assertion that culture forms go through cycles. Data on the structure of the music industry and the sorts of music produced over 26 years are examined. Periods of market concentration are found to correspond to periods of homogeneity, periods of competition to periods of diversity. A relatively long period of gradually increasing concentration is followed by a short burst of competition and diversity, with changes in market structure preceding changes in music. Assertions that consumers necessarily what they or want what they get are not supported. The degree of vertical integration at three key points (creative factors, merchandising and distribution), as well as diverse mechanisms in the industry's task environment, are found to be important in explaining these associations. Their nature suggests the fruitfulness of comparative studies of the production of symbol systems in the arts, science, and religion

Art · Economics · Linguistics · Microeconomics · Production (economics) · Sociology · Symbol (formal · Art History and Market Analysis · Communication · Cultural Industries and Urban Development · Philosophy · Social and Cultural Dynamics