Exam 3 wk 15 Reading

Question 1

what are the 3 common themes in reality tv shows

Answer 1

• actors engage in confessional moments, engage inner thoughts
• they form alliances and build entourages
• reality participants carefully manage onscreen identities

Question 2

describe the term cultivation analysis

Answer 2

developed by George Gerbner.
heavy tv viewing “cultivates” perceptions of reality consistent with the view of the world presented in tv programs.

concentrate long-term effects of exposure (adults/children) rather than short-term impact on attitudes&opinions.

Question 3

what are the 3 main problems that cloud cultivation findings

Answer 3

• difficult to determine cause/effect
• ppl differ in ways other than their TV viewing habits
• technical decisions bout way TV viewing/attitudes are measured can have impact on findings

Question 4

define the term agenda-setting

Answer 4

media have ability to choose& emphasize certain topics, thereby causing public to perceive these issues as important.

Question 5

define catharsis

Answer 5

holds that viewing scenes of aggression can actually purge the viewer’s own aggressive feelings.

person who see a violent tv program might end up less likely to commit violence.

Question 6

define stimulation theory

Answer 6

opposite of catharsis theory

seeing scenes of violence actually stimulate an individual to behave more violently afterward.

Question 7

define reinforcement

Answer 7

strengthening of support for existing attitudes and opinions

Question 8

define crystallization

Answer 8

sharpening and elaboration of vaguely held attitudes or predispositions

Question 9

what is the cocoon effect

Answer 9

process whereby ppl surround themselves w/ only political/social info that find comforting, appealing, or acceptable

Question 10

define functionalism & how related to media

Answer 10

• functional perspective, society regarded as:
  
  • surveillance(inform of events)
  • correlation(socialize common thoughts)
  • transmission(cultural heritage)
  • entertainment(reduce lvl of tension)
  • mobilization(focus on objectives)

Question 11

define integration and how related to media

Answer 11

• give ppl sense of community, exp same msgs/ideas–>shape society into coherent whole.
• create public sphere, build unity

Question 12

define the term fragmentation and explain how its related to media

Answer 12

• reduction over time of the “public sphere”.
• media foster social isolation, ppl pursue own agendas, leads to less public activity/less sharing values. (public sphere smaller)

Question 13

what is the confetti generation

Answer 13

the confetti person is overwhelmed by experience but ungrounded in any cultural discipline for arriving at any reality but the self.

Question 14

what is the neo-Marxists perspective on what role the media play in society

Answer 14

media powerful tool that spread idea that kept the working class enslaved in false consciousness.

Question 15

what strategy used by TV stations to keep people turned into the station has become less effective as a result of changes in technology.

Answer 15

repeated exposures

Question 16

what research was disproportionally used by the FCC during its media ownership proceedings from 2002 to 2007?

Answer 16

economic research

Question 17

what are the two characteristics shared by many of those who have written about media literacy

Answer 17

• criticize mass media/emphasize harmful nature

- suggest ppl need be more mindful during media exposure, argue against faulty msgs, protect from harm.

Question 18

Potter explains that personal locus operates in two modes. what are the two modes? which mode likely to show greatest effect from the media?

Answer 18

• conscious & unconscious
• conscious, aware of options, exercise will in making decisions
• unconscious, decisions made outside awareness/control (most powerful effect)

Question 19

what is the distinction made by Potter relative to the terms information and knowledge

Answer 19

info is piecemeal(bit by bit) and transitory(temporary), whereas knowledge structured, organized, and of more enduring significance.

Question 20

what are the 7 tools most relevant to media literacy

Answer 20

1. analysis
2. evaluation
3. grouping
4. induction
5. deduction
6. synthesis
7. abstraction

Question 21

define analysis in terms of media literacy

Answer 21

breaking down msg into meaningful events

Question 22

define evaluation in terms of media literacy

Answer 22

making judgement about value of an element

Question 23

define grouping in terms of media literacy

Answer 23

determining which elements are alike in some way

Question 24

define induction in terms of media literacy

Answer 24

seeing pattern in smaller things, then generalizing pattern to the bigger picture

Question 25

define deduction in terms of media literacy

Answer 25

using general principles to explain particulars

Question 26

define synthesis in terms of media literacy

Answer 26

assembling elements into a new structure

Question 27

define abstraction in terms of media literacy

Answer 27

creating a brief, clear, and accurate description capturing the essence of a msg in a smaller number of words than the msg itself

Question 28

define cultivation

Answer 28

trying to acquire or develop quality/skill

Question 29

define resonance

Answer 29

respondent real life exp. congruence w/ those of tv world–>greater cultivation effect

Question 30

define the term framing

Answer 30

general way a news topic is treated by the media

Question 31

define the term agenda building

Answer 31

how media build their agenda of newsworthy items