Modality

Modality makers are what we use to judge how realistic a text is. They are individual to everybody and can be affected by a number of things.

Modality makers are our understanding of how plausible, reliable, credible, truthful, accurate or factual a text is. If we were to view an image of a flying cat, we would use our modality makers to judge whether this image was real. As modality makers are unique to each individual, they are subjective; some people may believe some texts are more true to life than others. Children often believe more in a text then adults; this is because we build our modality makers from real life experiences. Adults have learned what is plausible and real, where as children are more likely to believe the unreal.

Written texts often have a lower modality then an image. This is because we are allowed to create an image in our own heads of what we interpret the text to be saying, where as with an image, as it is a set concept, it is easier for it to conflict with our own ideas. Studies have shown that photographs are more realistic then cartoons, though a cartoon often better represents the concept (Ryan and Schwartz 1956).

Umberto Eco argues that an iconic signifier can achieve primacy over the signified. An example of this would be an image of a cartoon heart. This symbol has grown to represent love instead of the heart as an organ of the body. The more a person becomes acquainted with a sign, the more it may seem realistic compared to a real life experience. A person, who is a fan of car racing games, may start to feel that real life driving is slow in comparison to the high speeds reached in game. Sometimes we allow texts to go against out modality makers as we are used to their content. Soap operas are often filled with drama that the average person would very rarely encounter in day to day life, yet most will contentedly watch them without a second thought to the plausibility.
Modality makers are unique to each individual, and are open to subjectivity. We build our modality makers through our life experiences as we age. When we become accustomed to a text, we may start to believe it more than real life, or we may simply allow the text to continue on in an unrealistic way.

Resources Used: Semiotics, The Basics by Daniel Chandler