BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Communication and Media Studies

Question 1

The 'agenda-setting' theory in mass communication proposes that:

Accepted Answer

Media doesn't tell people what to think but does influence what topics they think about

Answer

Agenda-setting theory, developed by McCombs and Shaw, argues that the frequency and prominence with which news media cover topics influences the public's perception of what issues are most important.

Question 2

Which theoretical framework argues that media portrayals of social groups shape audience beliefs through repeated exposure to stereotypical representations?

Accepted Answer

Cultivation theory

Answer

Cultivation theory, developed by George Gerbner, proposes that heavy television viewers develop a distorted view of reality that aligns with the world as depicted on TV, particularly regarding violence and social groups.

Question 3

The 'uses and gratifications' approach to media research focuses on:

Accepted Answer

How and why audiences actively choose media to fulfill specific needs

Answer

Uses and gratifications theory shifts the question from 'what does media do to people' to 'what do people do with media,' examining audiences as active consumers seeking information, entertainment, or social connection.

Question 4

In the United States, the First Amendment protects freedom of the press primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Prohibiting government censorship of publication

Answer

The First Amendment's press freedom clause bars prior restraint — government censorship before publication — and is the bedrock of American media freedom, as confirmed in cases like New York Times Co. v. United States (1971).

Question 5

Media consolidation in the United States refers to:

Accepted Answer

The concentration of media ownership among a small number of large corporations

Answer

Media consolidation describes the trend since the 1980s in which a decreasing number of large conglomerates own an increasing share of newspapers, TV stations, radio, and digital media, raising concerns about diversity of viewpoints.

BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Practice Test

BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Practice Test

BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Communication and Media Studies