Question 1

Mainstream news sources and outlets always act like the "lap dogs" of the powerful because of media conglomeration.

Accepted Answer

While media conglomeration can lead to concerns about bias and influence from powerful entities, it is not accurate to say that mainstream news sources always act as "lap dogs" of the powerful. Many mainstream media outlets strive for journalistic integrity and balance, and there are instances where they critically report on the actions of powerful individuals and institutions.

Question 2

Ownership of the mass media has become more widely distributed over time.

Accepted Answer

While there has been some diversification in ownership of the media, the trend has actually been towards consolidation and a smaller number of large conglomerates controlling a significant amount of media outlets.

Question 3

According to functionalists, the mass media encourage conformity by devoting attention to crime, criminals, and deviance.

Accepted Answer

Functionalists believe that by highlighting crime and deviance, the mass media reinforce societal norms and values, promoting conformity by showing the consequences of deviant behavior.

Question 4

Regan has studied media and believes that people are active participants who interpret the ideas and information conveyed in media and then act on it if that seems personally appropriate.Which of the following approaches are Regan's views in line with?

Accepted Answer

Regan's views align with the cultural studies approach, which emphasizes the active role of individuals in interpreting and creating meaning from media messages.

Question 5

Why is it possible that the human mind and the human body are extensions of mass media?

Accepted Answer

The human mind and body can be seen as extensions of mass media because of the significant influence that media consumption has on human behavior, attitudes, and beliefs. Media can shape our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and this influence can be seen as an extension of our minds and bodies.

Question 6

The Internet penetration rate in Canada is second only to that of the United States.

Accepted Answer

As of my last update, several countries, including Iceland, Norway, and Denmark, have higher Internet penetration rates than Canada, surpassing both Canada and the United States in terms of the percentage of the population with Internet access.

Question 7

Canadians spend more time watching television, listening to the radio, going to the movies, reading newspapers and magazines, playing CDs, and using the Internet than they do sleeping, working, or going to school.

Accepted Answer

According to Statistics Canada, in 2010 the average Canadian spent 26.6 hours per week on leisure and media activities, which includes television, radio, movies, reading, and music. In contrast, Canadians spent on average 8.6 hours per day sleeping, and full-time workers spend an average of 7.8 hours per day working. Therefore, Canadians do spend more time on leisure and media activities than they do sleeping or working. School hours were not included in this study.

Question 8

It is only when the mass media deal with news stories that touch on less central values that one may witness a diversity of media opinion.

Accepted Answer

When mass media cover news stories that are not directly related to central values, such as politics or national security, there is typically more room for different opinions and viewpoints to be expressed. This is because these types of stories are often more subjective and open to interpretation. However, when it comes to more central values and issues, the media tends to present a more unified perspective.

Question 9

The Renaissance was a scholarly and artistic revival that began in the United States around 1850 and subsequently spread to the rest of the Americas.

Accepted Answer

The statement is false. The Renaissance refers to a period of European history from the 14th to the 17th century, characterized by a revival of classical learning and values in art, literature, and philosophy. It did not begin in the United States in 1850.

Question 10

The invention of the cellphone predates the creation of the World Wide Web.

Accepted Answer

The first cellphone was invented in 1973, while the World Wide Web was created in 1989.

Question 11

According to cultural studies experts, people are passive consumers of media.

Accepted Answer

Cultural studies experts argue that people are not passive consumers of media, but rather actively engage with and interpret media messages based on their own social and cultural contexts. They believe that media plays a significant role in shaping social norms and ideologies, but individuals are not simply passive recipients of these messages.

Question 12

Research on television representation points to little change in the way the mass media treat various minority groups.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research on television representation points to little...

Question 13

Research shows that people tend to use social media to replace telephone and face-to-face communication.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research shows that people tend to use...

Question 14

Senior viewers tend to be more selective and focused on their television viewing than are younger viewers.

Accepted Answer

This is generally true as older viewers may have more specific interests and preferences, as well as less free time to spend on television watching.

Question 15

When opinion leaders evaluate media messages, this is an example of step 1 in the two-step flow of communication.

Accepted Answer

In the two-step flow of communication, opinion leaders play a crucial role in influencing the opinions of others by evaluating and interpreting media messages, which falls under step 1.

Question 16

British sociologist Stuart Hall believes that people are not empty vessels into which the media pour a defined assortment of beliefs, values, and ideas.Rather, audience members take an active role in consuming the products of the mass media.

Accepted Answer

Stuart Hall's theory of encoding/decoding argues that media messages are not simply received and accepted by audiences, but rather audiences actively interpret and give meaning to them based on their own cultural backgrounds and experiences. Therefore, people are not passive receivers but active consumers of media.

Question 17

What do sociologists call the process whereby the World Wide Web, television, telephone, and other communications media are blended into new hybrid media forms?

Accepted Answer

The process described is known as media convergence, which is the blending of various communication technologies into new hybrid media forms. Media diffusion refers to the spread of media technologies, media imperialism refers to the domination of media by a particular country or culture, and media conglomeration refers to the consolidation of media companies into larger conglomerates.

Question 18

James is excited to have contributed to the distribution of the first mass-media product in the Western world.What project did he assist in?

Accepted Answer

The Bible was the first mass-media product in the Western world, as it was printed on Johannes Gutenberg's printing press in the mid-15th century. James would have been involved in distributing early copies of the printed Bible.

Question 19

How do mass media promote inequalities in society?

Accepted Answer

Mass media has the power to shape individuals' attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Mass media often portrays certain individuals or groups as inferior and perpetuates stereotypes, which normalizes inequality and makes it acceptable. For example, women, racial minorities, and individuals of lower socio-economic status are often portrayed in a negative light or as secondary characters in media content. This can lead to unequal treatment and opportunities in society.

Question 20

In the interaction between audiences and media sources, the media sources usually dominate.

Accepted Answer

Media sources generally have more power and resources than individual audience members, allowing them to control the flow of information and shape public opinion.

Quiz 18: Mass Media and Mass Communication