Question 1

According to the text, what is the term used when a company has exclusive control over a particular product or service such as having exclusive control of news print media for an entire province?

Accepted Answer

The term used when a company has exclusive control over a particular product or service is known as a monopoly. This means that they have no competition and can dictate the market as they please. Socialization refers to the process of learning social norms and values. Persuasive refers to the ability to convince someone to do or believe something. Elite refers to a group of people who are considered superior in terms of abilities or traits.

Question 2

What label does the text give communications that target large audiences in print or in electronic format using audio and/or images?

Accepted Answer

The text refers to "mass media" as communications targeting large audiences through print or electronic formats using audio and/or images.

Question 3

An elderly woman received a new smartphone as gift from her children. She did not know that she should set up a password to protect her phone. According to the text, this scenario reflects what particular concerns identified by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada's (2012) report?

Accepted Answer

The scenario described in the text reflects the concern identified in the Privacy Commissioner of Canada's (2012) report that Canadians are concerned about their lack of knowledge concerning their privacy rights and feel a corresponding lack of ability to protect media-related privacy. The elderly woman in the scenario did not set up a password to protect her phone because of a lack of knowledge regarding how to do so, which is an example of this concern. Option A is incorrect because the report does identify significant concerns related to media use and privacy related issues. Option C is incorrect because the report identifies that Canadians do not passively follow the American standards of media use and personal privacy policy. Option D is incorrect because while the report does discuss the role of law enforcement and government agencies in protecting privacy, it also identifies concerns related to individual knowledge and self-protection.

Question 4

Danielle loves using the mobile apps on her cell phone. She keeps track of the news, does her banking, follows her favourite celebrities, texts her friends, and plays games on the bus. She would prefer to use her apps than have dinner with her family. According to the text, Danielle's activities reflect which major concern associated with all of the electronic-mediated communication?

Accepted Answer

Danielle's preference for using mobile apps over spending time with her family suggests she may be experiencing reduced interaction in real life.

Question 5

According to Robert Entman, which of the following is NOT used by the media to frame and create meanings in news narratives, highlighting certain aspects of a news event?

Accepted Answer

Cultivation is not a method of framing and creating meanings in news narratives. Cultivation theory refers to how media messages shape an audience's perceptions and beliefs about the world, rather than how the media constructs news narratives. The other options, agency, generalization, and categorization, are all tactics used by the media to frame news stories and highlight certain aspects while downplaying others.

Question 6

The pilot for a new television show included a character that helped a teenager obtain an abortion. Since a major shareholder on the television network's board of directors was anti-abortion, the show was not purchased. According to the text, what sociological approach could be used to analyze the influence of the shareholder?

Accepted Answer

The conflict framework would be the most appropriate approach to analyze the situation as it involves a conflict between the anti-abortion views of the shareholder and the decision to include a storyline about obtaining an abortion on the television show. The conflict arises due to opposing values and beliefs, which are inherent components of the conflict framework approach.

Question 7

According to a conflict framework, which of the following contributed to the homogenization of news in the print media?

Accepted Answer

Media monopolization contributed to the homogenization of news in the print media as fewer companies owned a larger portion of the market, leading to less diversity in the news being reported. Competitive media, competitive television, and consumer tastes may have influenced the news to some extent, but the dominant factor was the concentration of media ownership.

Question 8

According to the text, why is it so hard to study the media influence in society?

Accepted Answer

The text states that one of the reasons it is hard to study media influence in society is because media exposure varies for each individual.

Question 9

According to the text, what does the social learning perspective tell us about violent behaviours?

Accepted Answer

The social learning perspective tells us that aggression is learned like any other behavior, meaning it is not intrinsic or natural.

Question 10

A media analyst warns that the "media conglomerate" is selectively contributing to hysteria about global warming because the focus is only on stories that allege manmade carbon emissions are the problem. The analyst further states that there are plenty of opposing opinions from credible scientists that don't get airtime. He concludes that we are being deceived with an unbalanced, media-selected view. Which theoretical perspective has informed this critic's observations?

Accepted Answer

The critic's observations suggest a conflict perspective, as they highlight the selective representation of certain opinions and the concealment of other perspectives by a powerful media conglomerate.

Question 11

According to the text, what does a conflict framework analysis of the media attempt to demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

The text states that a conflict framework analysis of the media attempts to demonstrate how a monopolized media can shape public perception about certain issues.

Question 12

According to the text, which medium is an example of how the Internet has changed existing media and created new markets?

Accepted Answer

The text mentions digital audio as an example of a medium that demonstrates how the Internet has changed existing media and created new markets. It states that the widespread availability of digital audio downloads and streaming has made it easier for independent artists to distribute their music and reach new audiences.

Question 13

According to the text, what is one of the major foci of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission?

Accepted Answer

The text states that one of the major foci of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is to encourage communications that serve the interests of Canadians.

Question 14

Earle, a 20-year-old university student, has recently renewed his public library account. He also borrows books from the university library system. He borrows on average 8 to 10 books per month. According to the text, with which research findings does his behaviour correspond?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Earle, a 20-year-old university student, has recently...

Question 15

Fiona prefers to send text messages and emails rather than engage in a real-time conversation on her phone. She also plays several popular games on her smartphone and chats regularly with opponents from all over the world. Fiona prefers the company of her social network community to that of face-to-face interactions. By what term is this new media-inspired social phenomenon known?

Accepted Answer

Fiona's preference for digital communication and socializing in virtual communities is a manifestation of the phenomenon known as "alone together." This term coined by Sherry Turkle refers to the paradoxical sense of loneliness and connection that arises from our increasing reliance on digital devices and platforms for social interaction.

Question 16

The effect of media on violence in society is the most researched area with respect to media influence. According to the text, what is the second most researched area with respect to media influence on individuals?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The effect of media on violence in...

Question 17

According to the text, what is the newest form of mass media?

Accepted Answer

The text states that "the Internet, the newest of the mass media, is also rapidly becoming the most important..." making D the correct choice.

Question 18

According to postmodern theorists, which of the following is NOT considered part of being media literate?

Accepted Answer

According to postmodern theorists, meaning in media is not fixed and can vary among different audiences due to their cultural backgrounds and personal experiences. Therefore, understanding this concept is considered part of being media literate.

Question 19

Jack buys a Nike T-shirt. He does not realize that his choice has likely been influenced by the main character in the movie he watched last night who was wearing a Nike T-shirt. According to Karen Dill, why are we regularly influenced by the media?

Accepted Answer

Karen Dill suggests that people are influenced by the media because they often believe they are invulnerable to such messages, leading to unconscious influence.

Question 20

"Everywhere I turn, there is a story about the trial of a man who murdered his wife. It's on the front page of every paper and the lead story in every broadcast, covering every detail. It's like nothing else is going on in the world." According to the text, this statement is providing what kind of analysis of the news coverage?

Accepted Answer

The statement highlights the extensive coverage and prominence given to the trial story, indicating the "sizing" of the news, which refers to the amount of attention and space devoted to a particular story.

Quiz 6: Mass Media: Living in the Electronic Age