7. The fundamental criticism directed against the new popular mass media culture in the 1950s, by such social critics as David Riesman and William H. Whyte, Jr., was that a. affluence tended to erode Americans' moral character. b. Americans had become affluent conformists unable to think for themselves. c. the wealth produced by the new mass economy was unevenly distributed. d. the open sexual displays of figures like Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe were morally dangerous. e. it did not reflect the cultural tastes and preferences of racial and ethnic minorities in America.

The correct answer is B) Americans had become affluent conformists unable to think for themselves.

The fundamental criticism directed against the new popular mass media culture in the 1950s, by such social critics as David Riesman and William H. Whyte Jr., was that Americans had become affluent conformists unable to think for themselves.

The issue was that with the advent of TV, the presence of the Radio, and the mass culture as part of the way of living, many Americans decided to follow and believe what they listened to the news or read in the newspaper. Critical thinking and the attitude to do research, read other sources, books, encyclopedias and to learn and know more, started to diminish. Instead of thinking, many Americans were happy to wait and see what other people thought, and they simply followed what others said.

b. Americans had become affluent conformists unable to think for themselves.

Explanation:

The fundamental criticism directed against the new popular mass media culture in the 1950s, by such social critics as David Riesman and William H. Whyte, Jr., was that Americans had become affluent conformists unable to think for themselves.