BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Communication and Media Studies 2

Question 1

The 'framing' effect in media studies refers to:

Accepted Answer

How the way a story is presented influences how audiences interpret and evaluate it

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Any factor that distorts or interferes with the transmission of a message

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Broadcast television and radio, cable TV, and telecommunications

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

People suppress unpopular opinions to avoid social isolation, reinforcing the appearance of consensus

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

An environment where people encounter only information that reinforces their existing beliefs

Answer

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.

BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Practice Test

BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Practice Test

BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Communication and Media Studies 2