Question 1

Which theory regarding the effects of media on attitudes of viewers or readers suggests that the media has little to no effect on how people vote in elections?

Accepted Answer

The minimal effects theory suggests that media has little to no effect on how people vote in elections. Other theories such as agenda-setting theory, social learning theory, and cultivation theory argue that media does have some level of influence on viewers or readers' attitudes and behaviors.

Question 2

Social learning theory and the concept of priming were reflected in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 by ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Social learning theory and the concept of...

Question 3

What is the primary difference between ABC and PBS?

Accepted Answer

The primary difference between ABC and PBS is that ABC is privately owned, while PBS receives federal funds.

Question 4

What is one argument against the concentration of ownership of the news media?

Accepted Answer

The concentration of ownership in the news media can lead to a blurring of the line between news and entertainment, as nonmedia corporations may prioritize profit and entertainment value over journalistic integrity.

Question 5

The increased use of the Internet to communicate and consume information about politics and current events has led to which phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

The increased use of the Internet to communicate and consume information has given rise to citizen journalism, where individuals report on events and news that traditional media may not cover or overlook.

Question 6

According to social learning theory, violent television programs have which impact?

Accepted Answer

According to social learning theory, viewers may learn and imitate violent behaviors they see on TV, leading to potential increases in violent behavior.

Question 7

Mike is a life-long Republican and holds traditional, conservative views about the economy and social issues. If Mike is exposed to more liberal media outlets before an election, what will most likely result, according to the minimal effects theory?

Accepted Answer

According to the minimal effects theory, media has a limited effect on changing people's pre-existing beliefs or attitudes. Therefore, even if Mike is exposed to more liberal media outlets, it is most likely that he will still vote for the Republican candidate, consistent with his long-held views.

Question 8

The idea that one thought activates other thoughts when exposed to certain cues is known as ______.

Accepted Answer

The idea that one thought activates other thoughts when exposed to certain cues is known as priming.

Question 9

Which news media format contributed to the decline in public support for the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War?

Accepted Answer

The television brought the Vietnam War into people's homes on a daily basis, showing graphic images of the violence and protests. This contributed to the growing antiwar sentiment and a decline in public support for the war effort.

Question 10

How did the Framers view government ownership of the media?

Accepted Answer

The Framers believed in limited government and checks and balances to prevent any one branch or entity from having too much power. They would have seen government ownership of the media as a potential threat to the freedom of the press and the ability of citizens to access diverse and critical information.

Question 11

Which idea underpins the minimal effects theory?

Accepted Answer

The minimal effects theory suggests that people have preexisting attitudes and are selective about the information they consume, seeking out information that confirms their existing attitudes while avoiding information that goes against them. This theory assumes that people generally want to avoid ambivalence and maintain their existing beliefs.

Question 12

What is the defining characteristic of television?

Accepted Answer

The defining characteristic of television is its visual nature. It is a medium that relies on images to convey information and entertainment to audiences. While accessibility, entertainment value, and trustworthiness are important factors related to television, they are not defining characteristics that set it apart from other mediums.

Question 13

Following the August 2019 mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, many public officials began to blame violent video games as part of the reason for the shootings. This notion is characteristic of which theory?

Accepted Answer

Social learning theory suggests that people can learn behaviors, such as aggression, through observing others, either in person or through media, including video games. This theory posits that individuals may imitate behaviors seen in media if those behaviors are rewarded or if the individuals identify with the characters performing them.

Question 14

What impact has the Internet had on how people consume information about news and politics?

Accepted Answer

The internet has provided people with a vast array of news sources and the ability to search for information that aligns with their particular interests and viewpoints. This has led to a more personalized approach to news consumption, where individuals can select the sources and topics they are most interested in.

Question 15

Brian likes to get his news from a variety of sources. In the mornings, he likes to check his Twitter and Facebook feeds for news stories, and after work, he tunes into ABC for the evening news that airs before his favorite primetime shows. During election season, Brian checks into the coverage available on CNN.com. Given this information, Brian is primarily a consumer of ______.

Accepted Answer

Brian consumes news from both social media (Twitter, Facebook) and traditional media (ABC, CNN.com), which are considered new media platforms.

Question 16

What is the primary idea behind the social learning theory?

Accepted Answer

The social learning theory suggests that people will imitate what they view on television through observational learning. It emphasizes the importance of modeling behavior and seeing others being reinforced for certain actions, leading to the imitation of those behaviors.

Question 17

______ is one of the three large networks that have dominated television since the 1950s?

Accepted Answer

ABC is one of the three major networks that have dominated television since the 1950s, along with NBC and CBS. CNN and C-SPAN are cable networks, and Fox is a relatively new network that is not considered one of the original three.

Question 18

The idea that people evaluate news based on their own partisan perspectives and process that information in a way that is consistent with their preexisting attitudes are aspects of the ______.

Accepted Answer

The concept described in the question is known as minimal effects theory, which suggests that individuals are only minimally affected by mass media messages and that their preexisting attitudes and beliefs play a significant role in how they perceive and interpret news. This is contrasted with the other theories listed in the question (social learning, cultivation, and agenda-setting), which focus on the impact of the media on individuals in different ways.

Question 19

Paul has a relatively long commute to work each day and gets most of his news about local and national events, and traffic reports during those drives to and from work. Which media format is Paul most likely a consumer of?

Accepted Answer

Paul's long commute suggests that he is likely to be a radio listener as radio is a common source of traffic reports and news updates that can be easily consumed in the car. The other options, such as the internet or television, would require more visual attention and are less convenient for someone who is driving. While newspapers can provide news updates, they are less likely to provide the real-time traffic information that Paul would need during his commute.

Question 20

Who is most likely to be negatively impacted by the digital divide?

Accepted Answer

Laurel, a senior citizen who does not own a computer and prefers to listen to AM radio, is most likely to be negatively impacted by the digital divide as she is missing out on many opportunities and resources that are available online, such as telemedicine, online shopping, and access to information and news. The other options mentioned in the question seem to have more access to and proficiency with technology, and therefore are less likely to be negatively impacted by the digital divide.

Quiz 12: The Media and American Politics