Media Effects: Impact of Mass Media on Individuals and Society

Question 1

Which theory suggests that repeated exposure to media's consistent portrayal of reality shapes our perceptions and beliefs?

Accepted Answer

Cultivation theory

Answer

Agenda-setting theory

Answer

Priming theory

Answer

Uses and gratifications theory

Question 2

According to agenda-setting theory, the media's focus on particular issues influences:

Accepted Answer

Which issues we perceive as important

Answer

Our attitudes towards those issues

Answer

Our knowledge about those issues

Answer

Our likelihood of supporting candidates who endorse those issues

Question 3

Priming theory suggests that media coverage of an issue can alter our:

Accepted Answer

Awareness and accessibility of that issue in our memory

Answer

Likelihood of voting for candidates who support that issue

Answer

Knowledge about the causes and consequences of that issue

Answer

Attitudes about the importance and severity of that issue

Question 4

Which common criticism of media effects research highlights the potential overestimation of media's influence?

Accepted Answer

It exaggerates the power of media to shape our thoughts and behaviors

Answer

It ignores individual differences in media consumption patterns

Answer

It relies excessively on self-reported data

Answer

It discounts the role of social and cultural factors

Question 5

The media agenda refers to:

Accepted Answer

Issues covered by the media

Answer

Framing and emphasis of issues by the media

Answer

Public's perception of issues based on media coverage

Answer

Government's regulation of media content

Question 6

Framing, in the context of media, refers to:

Accepted Answer

The manner in which media presents information, shaping its interpretation

Answer

The way audiences interpret and make sense of media messages

Answer

The process by which media outlets select and prioritize news stories

Answer

The regulations and guidelines that govern media content

Question 7

The concept of cultivation theory revolves around the idea that:

Accepted Answer

Media exposure shapes our perceptions of social reality.

Answer

Media determines our political beliefs.

Answer

Media creates physical and mental health issues.

Answer

Media directly leads to criminal behavior.

Question 8

According to agenda-setting theory, the primary influence of media is to:

Accepted Answer

Set the topics that the public thinks about and discusses.

Answer

Persuade the public to adopt specific viewpoints.

Answer

Provide unbiased information about current events.

Answer

Entertain and distract the masses.

Question 9

A key characteristic of priming media effects is that they:

Accepted Answer

Are short-term influences.

Answer

Are long-lasting.

Answer

Directly persuade people to change their beliefs.

Answer

Change attitudes towards specific issues.

Question 10

The concept of "framing" in media effects research refers to:

Accepted Answer

How media present information, influencing our interpretation.

Answer

The amount of coverage given to a particular topic.

Answer

The ownership and control of media outlets.

Answer

The use of biased language in media reporting.

Question 11

How does media literacy impact the effects of mass media?

Accepted Answer

It enables critical analysis of media messages.

Answer

It increases reliance on external sources for information.

Answer

It promotes passive consumption of media.

Answer

It reduces exposure to diverse perspectives.

Question 12

An example of a cultivation effect is:

Accepted Answer

Fear of crime due to exposure to violent news.

Answer

Changed voting behavior after exposure to political ads.

Answer

Awareness of a social issue due to increased media attention.

Answer

Increased tolerance of controversial views.

Question 13

Agenda-setting theory implies that media have the power to:

Accepted Answer

Shape public opinion.

Answer

Limit media coverage to specific issues.

Answer

Ensure balanced representation of all viewpoints.

Answer

Promote media objectivity.

Question 14

According to cultivation theory, what is a primary assumption about the impact of media exposure?

Accepted Answer

Media consumption shapes our beliefs and values over time.

Answer

Media effects depend solely on personal media consumption habits.

Answer

Media has a direct and immediate influence on our behavior.

Question 15

Which theory suggests that long-term exposure to media shapes our perceptions of reality?

Accepted Answer

Cultivation theory

Answer

Agenda-setting theory

Answer

Priming theory

Answer

Social learning theory

Question 16

The theory that the media can influence the public's perception of issues and events is known as:

Accepted Answer

Agenda-setting theory

Answer

Cultivation theory

Answer

Priming theory

Answer

Uses and gratifications theory

Question 17

How does cultivation theory differ from agenda-setting theory?

Accepted Answer

It focuses on long-term rather than short-term effects

Answer

It emphasizes the role of audience characteristics

Answer

It is based on a different set of research methods

Answer

It makes no distinction between the two effects

Question 18

Agenda-setting theory suggests that the media:

Accepted Answer

Shapes our perception of what issues are important

Answer

Controls what we think about those issues

Answer

Influences our voting behavior

Answer

Determines our political ideology

Question 19

The concept of 'framing' in media effects research refers to:

Accepted Answer

The manner in which information is presented to influence perception

Answer

The use of visual elements to evoke emotions

Answer

The repetition of particular phrases to emphasize a point

Answer

The deliberate omission of information to create a biased narrative

Question 20

The cultivation theory predicts that exposure to violent media content may lead to:

Accepted Answer

Increased aggression and violence

Answer

Reduced fear and anxiety

Answer

No significant behavioral effects

Answer

Mixed positive and negative effects

Question 21

In the context of media effects research, 'selective exposure' refers to our tendency to:

Accepted Answer

Seek out information that aligns with our existing beliefs

Answer

Avoid information that challenges our existing beliefs

Answer

Expose ourselves to a balanced range of viewpoints

Answer

Rely solely on a single source of information

Question 22

According to the cultivation theory, how does prolonged exposure to media influence our perception of reality?

Accepted Answer

It can lead us to believe that the world we see on screen accurately reflects actual societal norms and behaviors

Answer

It may cause us to develop unhealthy habits and engage in risky behaviors as depicted on television

Answer

It can stimulate political participation and foster civic engagement in the community

Answer

It can foster empathy and compassion for individuals we may not encounter in real life

Question 23

The agenda-setting theory suggests that media has a crucial influence on:

Accepted Answer

The topics and issues that people consider important and discuss

Answer

The specific political beliefs and ideologies that people adopt

Answer

The way people perceive and interpret social and political issues

Answer

The amount and type of information the public has access to

Question 24

Which factor is NOT considered by priming theory in examining the effects of media?

Accepted Answer

The political orientation of the audience

Answer

The prominence or salience of information presented in the media

Answer

The audience's prior knowledge, beliefs, and values

Answer

The timing of the media content in relation to other events

Question 25

Under what conditions are priming effects most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Both (b) and (c)

Answer

When individuals are highly motivated to pay attention to the media

Answer

When individuals have limited prior knowledge about the topic

Answer

When individuals encounter the media content just before making a decision

Question 26

Which theory suggests that the media shapes public perception of the significance of certain issues?

Accepted Answer

Agenda-setting theory

Answer

Framing theory

Answer

Priming theory

Answer

Gatekeeping theory

Question 27

Based on cultivation theory, which of the following is a potential consequence of prolonged exposure to media content?

Accepted Answer

Developing perceptions of reality that may differ from actual experiences

Answer

Adopting political views that align with those presented in the media

Answer

Experiencing increased empathy for marginalized groups

Answer

Improving critical thinking skills

Question 28

According to agenda-setting theory, the media primarily influences individuals by:

Accepted Answer

Highlighting certain issues and prioritizing them in the public's mind

Answer

Controlling the specific opinions people hold on various issues

Answer

Persuading people to adopt specific behaviors

Answer

Creating emotional responses to events

Question 29

Priming theory suggests that media exposure can:

Accepted Answer

Temporarily increase the likelihood of certain thoughts or ideas coming to mind

Answer

Permanently alter an individual's core beliefs and values

Answer

Influence voting behavior during political campaigns

Answer

Enhance problem-solving abilities

Question 30

Which of the following is not considered a potential effect of media consumption on individuals?

Accepted Answer

Heightened emotional intelligence

Answer

Increased political awareness

Answer

Greater social isolation

Answer

Enhanced imagination and creativity

Question 31

An example of agenda-setting in practice would be:

Accepted Answer

A news report focusing on a political scandal

Answer

An advertisement promoting a particular product

Answer

A social media post sharing personal experiences

Answer

A documentary exploring historical events

Question 32

In contrast to cultivation theory, priming theory focuses on:

Accepted Answer

Short-term activation of specific concepts

Answer

Long-term effects of media exposure

Answer

Influence on political campaigns

Answer

Measurement of media consumption habits

Question 33

How can individuals resist the effects of media priming?

Accepted Answer

Recognize personal biases and values

Accepted Answer

Consume media from diverse sources

Answer

Avoid media exposure

Answer

Trust gut instincts

Question 34

According to Cultivation Theory, which of the following is a key principle?

Accepted Answer

Repeated exposure to media content can shape our beliefs about the world.

Answer

Media coverage of specific issues influences how important the public perceives them to be.

Answer

Media's use of priming effects impacts how audiences interpret later information.

Answer

Media portrayals of smoking in films and television shows have no effect on smoking rates among young people.

Question 35

Which of the following is a key effect of prolonged exposure to media content, as proposed by Cultivation Theory?

Accepted Answer

Increased likelihood of adopting media-portrayed behaviors and values

Answer

Increased skepticism towards media messages

Answer

Enhanced critical thinking skills

Answer

Reduced exposure to diverse perspectives

Question 36

Which theory suggests that media can influence our perceptions of social reality and the prevalence of certain behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Cultivation Theory

Answer

Social Learning Theory

Answer

Framing Theory

Answer

Agenda-Setting Theory

Question 37

According to Agenda-Setting Theory, how does media influence public discourse?

Accepted Answer

By shaping the public's perception of the importance of different issues

Answer

By providing unbiased information on all sides of an issue

Answer

By determining the public's opinion on specific issues

Question 38

Priming Theory posits that media exposure can:

Accepted Answer

Activate specific thoughts and associations in our minds, making them more likely to be recalled and influence our judgments.

Answer

Overtly manipulate our emotions

Answer

Completely change our beliefs and attitudes

Question 39

Which of the following is a potential negative effect of media use?

Accepted Answer

Providing biased or distorted information

Answer

Promoting civic engagement

Answer

Educating the public

Answer

Facilitating social connections

Question 40

Which of the following is a limitation of cultivation theory?

Accepted Answer

It relies on correlational data, which cannot establish a causal relationship between media exposure and perceptions.

Answer

It assumes that all media messages are equally influential.

Answer

It only applies to television consumption.

Question 41

Who is considered the primary architect of Agenda-Setting Theory?

Accepted Answer

Maxwell McCombs

Answer

Marshall McLuhan

Answer

Walter Lippmann

Answer

George Gerbner

Question 42

Media literacy refers to:

Accepted Answer

The ability to critically analyze, evaluate, and understand the messages conveyed through media channels.

Answer

The ability to create and produce media content

Answer

The amount of time spent consuming media

Question 43

In the context of media effects, 'framing' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The way in which media present and emphasize specific aspects of an issue, influencing how audiences perceive and interpret it.

Answer

The use of biased language and imagery in media

Answer

The process of selecting and editing media content

Question 44

Which media effects theory suggests that heavy viewers of violent television shows tend to perceive the world as more dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Cultivation Theory

Answer

Agenda-Setting Theory

Answer

Social Learning Theory

Answer

Priming Theory

Question 45

A political campaign's strategy of using a particular image of a candidate to evoke positive emotions in viewers is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Priming

Answer

Framing

Answer

Cultivation

Question 46

Which assumption is NOT central to the cultivation theory?

Accepted Answer

Media consumption directly leads to aggressive behavior.

Answer

Heavy television viewers tend to have similar perceptions of reality.

Answer

Television is a powerful agent of socialization.

Question 47

A news article presents a political issue primarily as a matter of national security. This framing strategy is likely to:

Accepted Answer

Influence public opinion on the issue.

Answer

Promote unbiased reporting on the issue.

Answer

Reduce the importance of the issue.

Answer

Increase awareness of the issue without shaping opinions.

Question 48

Which scenario best exemplifies the spiral of silence theory?

Accepted Answer

An individual remains silent about their views on a controversial topic because they believe their opinion is unpopular.

Answer

A politician spreads misinformation on social media.

Question 49

A researcher studying the effects of media on voting behavior would most likely use which research method?

Accepted Answer

Survey

Answer

Ethnography

Answer

Content analysis

Answer

Experiment

Question 50

The concept of 'media literacy' emphasizes the importance of:

Accepted Answer

Critical thinking skills for engaging with media content.

Answer

Restricting access to violent media content.

Answer

Government censorship of media.

Question 51

How are media effects influenced by individual characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Media effects can vary based on factors like age, gender, and personality.

Answer

Media effects are universal and affect everyone equally.

Answer

Individual characteristics have no impact on media effects.