BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Communication and Media Studies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The 'framing' effect in media studies refers to:
- How the way a story is presented influences how audiences interpret and evaluate it (Correct answer)
- The physical layout of news articles on a printed page
- The legal boundaries around defamation in journalism
- The process of selecting which stories to cover
Correct answer: How the way a story is presented influences how audiences interpret and evaluate it
Framing theory argues that the specific words, images, and narrative structures media use to present a story shape how audiences understand the issue, assign blame, and evaluate solutions.
Question 2: In communication theory, 'noise' refers to:
- Any factor that distorts or interferes with the transmission of a message (Correct answer)
- Loud sounds that disrupt interpersonal conversations
- Criticism of media content by audiences
- Technical failures in broadcast equipment
Correct answer: Any factor that distorts or interferes with the transmission of a message
In Shannon and Weaver's foundational communication model, noise is any interference — physical, psychological, or semantic — that disrupts accurate message transmission between sender and receiver.
Question 3: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has regulatory authority over:
- Broadcast television and radio, cable TV, and telecommunications (Correct answer)
- Print newspapers and magazines
- Internet content platforms and social media companies
- Movie production and theatrical distribution
Correct answer: Broadcast television and radio, cable TV, and telecommunications
The FCC regulates interstate communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable, licensing broadcasters and enforcing content standards on public airwaves, but has no authority over print media.
Question 4: The 'spiral of silence' theory proposed by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann suggests that:
- People suppress unpopular opinions to avoid social isolation, reinforcing the appearance of consensus (Correct answer)
- Social media amplifies minority viewpoints until they become mainstream
- Silence in interpersonal communication signals agreement
- Media coverage declines on topics that lack public controversy
Correct answer: People suppress unpopular opinions to avoid social isolation, reinforcing the appearance of consensus
The spiral of silence theory holds that individuals who perceive their opinions to be in the minority become increasingly reluctant to express those views, creating a self-reinforcing illusion of consensus in public discourse.
Question 5: In the context of social media and communication studies, an 'echo chamber' refers to:
- An environment where people encounter only information that reinforces their existing beliefs (Correct answer)
- A room with good acoustic properties used for recording
- A media outlet that reports the same story multiple times
- A social network algorithm that amplifies breaking news
Correct answer: An environment where people encounter only information that reinforces their existing beliefs
Echo chambers occur when algorithms, social network homophily, and selective exposure combine to expose users primarily to viewpoints that confirm their existing beliefs, reducing exposure to challenging perspectives.
Question 6: Which communication concept describes the difference between what a source intends to convey and what a receiver actually understands?
- Semantic noise or miscommunication (Correct answer)
- Channel interference
- Encoding failure
- Feedback loop breakdown
Correct answer: Semantic noise or miscommunication
Semantic noise or miscommunication arises when the meanings a sender attaches to words, symbols, or gestures differ from how the receiver interprets them, creating a gap between intended and received meaning.
BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Communication and Media Studies 2
The 'framing' effect in media studies refers to: