Chapter 11: The Media

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. By the age of 21, Millennials are thought to have watched ______ of television.

a. 200 hours

b. 2,000 hours

c. 4,000 hours

d. 10,000 hours

Learning Objective: 11-1: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Medium

2. People who are technology dependent and capable of accessing information instantly and using many technological devices for everyday living and communication are described as which of these?

a. digital functionalists

b. digital natives

c. digitalized humans

d. social media babies

Learning Objective: 11-1: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Functionalists examine the ______ between the media and other social institutions.

a. institutional inequalities

b. meaning

c. inherent conflict

d. structural relationship

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Functionalist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. What role did Facebook and Twitter play during the 2011 protests in Tahrir Square, Egypt?

a. confusing Egyptians while police moved in

b. unifying protestors

c. misinforming the international community about the real issues

d. distracting Egyptians to what was really going on

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Functionalist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. Postman (1989) argues that the popular media culture ______ the educational system in the United States.

a. enhances

b. compliments

c. undermines

d. generally does not effect

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Functionalist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

6. A study of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing revealed that repeated exposure to media coverage of it was related to which of these among non-Boston residents?

a. higher levels of empathy

b. higher levels of acute stress

c. higher levels of fear of terrorism

d. higher levels of anger at foreigners

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Functionalist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

7. According to conflict theorists, the media frames its messages in such a way that it will do which of these?

a. benefit the majority of its viewers

b. belittle its viewers opinions

c. clarify issues for its viewers

d. support the ruling elite

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Conflict Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

8. Research by Wade (2008) found that people of color own about ______ of commercial television stations.

a. 3 percent

b. 6 percent

c. 12 percent

d. 15 percent

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Conflict Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

9. Which of these is the largest entertainment company?

a. Time Warner, Inc.

b. Walt Disney

c. Viacom

d. CBS

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Conflict Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

10. A study of English and Spanish news coverage of immigration in the U.S. revealed that what was responsible for differing coverage?

a. audience preferences and newspaper profit motives

b. newspaper profit motives and geographical location

c. audience preferences and geographical location

d. current events analysis and audience preferences

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Conflict Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

11. David Altheide argues that ______ is persuasive in American society and much of it is produced through messages presented by the news media.

a. prejudice

b. loyalty

c. passiveness

d. fear

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Interactionist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

12. Studies of how women are represented in the media reveal which of these?

a. Women athletes are featured for their athletic prowess.

b. Women politicians are featured for their economic and national security knowledge.

c. Children’s programming often features women in non-traditional gendered roles.

d. Women who challenge traditional gender roles are often sexualized.

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Feminist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

13. Barner (1999) found in an analysis of children’s programming that women were typically portrayed in ______, and men were portrayed in ______.

a. positive stereotypes; negative stereotypes

b. passive roles; active roles

c. active roles; passive roles

d. dominant positions; submissive positions

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Feminist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

14. Which of these are the two most important criteria that mass media organizations use to determine which events are newsworthy?

a. proximity and deviation

b. excitement and impact level

c. pertinent and excitement

d. deviation and pertinence

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Interactionist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

15. The interactionist perspective of the media focuses on which of these?

a. media objectivity

b. media’s use of power

c. media’s symbols and messages

d. media’s functions

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Interactionist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

16. Creating a favorable image of oneself for the benefit of others is called which of these?

a. image manipulation

b. impression steering

c. impression management

d. image management

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: Loss of Privacy

Difficulty Level: Medium

17. Which company settled Federal Trade Commission charges in 2011 for violating the privacy agreement with their customers?

a. Instagram

b. Twitter

c. My Space

d. Facebook

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: Loss of Privacy

Difficulty Level: Medium

18. The digital divide is best described as a symptom of which of these?

a. social inequality

b. extensive media usage

c. corporate control

d. attention deficit disorder

Learning Objective: 11-3: Review the importance of the digital divide.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: The Digital Haves and Have-Nots

Difficulty Level: Medium

19. According to research by Lazarus and Mora (2000), which of these is a barrier for underserved communities regarding technology?

a. access

b. lack of information at a basic literacy level

c. advertising

d. too much local information and not enough national information

Learning Objective: 11-3: Review the importance of the digital divide.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: The Digital Haves and Have-Nots

Difficulty Level: Medium

20. According to research by Lazarus and Mora (2000), if communities wanted to increase the likelihood of underserved communities being able to access technology that is useful for them, which of these should they do?

a. provide more coverage of national news

b. provide more documents in English

c. provide more information about more expensive housing so that underserved communities can find better places to live

d. provide websites that reflect diverse cultural heritages and practices

Learning Objective: 11-3: Review the importance of the digital divide.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: The Digital Haves and Have-Nots

Difficulty Level: Medium

21. Which of these is NOT an example of the digital divide?

a. lack of access to new forms of technology

b. lack of ability to use new forms of communication

c. geographical space between one internet user and another

d. global disparities between those who use the Internet and those who do not

Learning Objective: 11-3: Review the importance of the digital divide.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: The Digital Haves and Have-Nots

Difficulty Level: Medium

22. Which level of household income has more users of the internet than any other?

a. more than $75,000 per year

b. between $50,000 and $74,999 per year

c. between $30,000 and $49,000 per year

d. less than $30,000 per year

Learning Objective: 11-3: Review the importance of the digital divide.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Digital Haves and Have-Nots

Difficulty Level: Medium

23. As the fourth estate what is the role of journalism?

a. entertain the country

b. advocate for social change

c. serve as a watchdog on government activities

d. identify social problems

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: The Death of the Newspaper?

Difficulty Level: Easy

24. When asked what was the most helpful media source to learn about the 2016 presidential election, surveyed Americans identified which of the following as their most preferred source?

a. cable news

b. social media

c. local television

d. local newspapers

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: The Death of the Newspaper?

Difficulty Level: Medium

25. In 2017, approximately ______ of Americans believed that news organizations tend to favor one side rather than treat all sides fairly.

a. 10 percent

b. 30 percent

c. 50 percent

d. 70 percent

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: Do You Trust the News Media?

Difficulty Level: Medium

26. Trust in the media is a significant problem. Which of these are people most likely to say they trust?

a. local media

b. national media

c. blogs

d. Twitter

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: Do You Trust the News Media?

Difficulty Level: Medium

27. In 2017, which country emerged as a widespread promulgator or propaganda in the U.S. 2016 election?

a. China

b. Russia

c. France

d. Iran

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: Do You Trust the News Media?

Difficulty Level: Easy

28. The Federal Communications Commission was established by which of these?

a. the Department of Justice in 1957

b. the Communications Act of 1934

c. the Department of Commerce in 1962

d. the Telecommunications Act of 1946

Learning Objective: 11-3: Identify policies and movements that relate to media consumption and consumer protection.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: Federal Communications Commission and the Telecommunications Act of 1996

Difficulty Level: Medium

29. The first major overhaul of the original 1934 act, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was seen as a way to do which of these?

a. discourage broadcasting of indecent materials

b. encourage media corporate mergers

c. encourage competition in the communications industry

d. discourage consumers from switching telephone companies

Learning Objective: 11-3: Identify policies and movements that relate to media consumption and consumer protection.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: Federal Communications Commission and the Telecommunications Act of 1996

Difficulty Level: Medium

30. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 increased which of these?

a. competition

b. cooperation between media giants

c. free speech

d. diverse characters on television

Learning Objective: 11-3: Identify policies and movements that relate to media consumption and consumer protection.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: Federal Communications Commission and the Telecommunications Act of 1996

Difficulty Level: Medium

31. Media literacy involves shifting one's role from ______ to ______ of media.

a. educated participant; passive enthusiast

b. passive receiver; active critical receiver

c. in-depth mediator; intentional recipient

d. insightful examiner; reflexive evaluator

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Media Literacy and Digital Literacy

Difficulty Level: Medium

32. Which of these is TRUE of media literacy according to your text?

a. Media literacy is mostly aimed at teaching peers as they can provide the most effective intervention to reduce the effects of violence on children.

b. Media literacy is about shifting the attention from active consumption to passive consumption.

c. Internationally speaking, the United States has been on the cutting edge of media literacy.

d. Media literacy is important for the development of democracy and active citizenship.

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Media Literacy and Digital Literacy

Difficulty Level: Medium

True/False

1. Communication is a basic social activity.

Learning Objective: 11-1: Define media.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. Social media is defined as media that is based on conversation and interaction with individuals online.

Learning Objective: 11-1: Define media.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Easy

3. Public health studies have been unable to document the link between television viewing and poor physical health among children and adults.

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Functionalist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. The mass media provides people with a sense of connection that few other social institutions can offer.

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Functionalist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. Journalists ultimately decide what will and what won’t be covered in the media.

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Conflict Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

6. The fundamental principle in American media is to attract an audience to sell to advertisers.

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Conflict Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

7. Despite evidence that Americans have a comparative advantage in regard to diseases, accidents, nutrition, medical care, and life expectancy, American women and men perceive themselves to be at greater risk than do their counterparts elsewhere and express fears about this, in part, due to media coverage.

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Interactionist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

8. According to sociologist Herbert Gans, the news is usually about the “unknowns” or the common person's activities.

Learning Objective: 11-2: Explain how the different sociological perspectives examine social problems related to the media.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Interactionist Perspective

Difficulty Level: Medium

9. Social media has made it easier for individuals to practice impression management.

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: Loss of Privacy

Difficulty Level: Medium

10. The digital divide is a global phenomenon.

Learning Objective: 11-3: Review the importance of the digital divide.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Digital Haves and Have-Nots

Difficulty Level: Medium

11. Mainly because of income differentials, the Internet is beyond the reach of global citizens.

Learning Objective: 11-3: Review the importance of the digital divide.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Digital Haves and Have-Nots

Difficulty Level: Easy

12. Households with a bachelor’s degree or higher are more likely to have access to computers and the Internet than those with lower levels of educational attainment.

Learning Objective: 11-3: Review the importance of the digital divide.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Digital Haves and Have-Nots

Difficulty Level: Easy

13. One result of the decline in print newspapers is more coverage of specialty beats like science and religion.

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: The Death of the Newspaper?

Difficulty Level: Medium

14. An executive order signed by President Obama bans federal employees from texting while driving.

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: Driving Distracted

Difficulty Level: Medium

15. Net Neutrality means that the internet enables and protects free speech, preserving an open internet.

Learning Objective: 11-3: Identify policies and movements that relate to media consumption and consumer protection.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: Federal Communications Commission and the Telecommunications Act of 1996

Difficulty Level: Easy

16. The ability to understand, analyze, and critique media content is known as media literacy.

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Media Literacy and Digital Literacy

Difficulty Level: Easy

Essay

1. Define impression management as theorized by Erving Goffman. How does impression management apply to social media? On balance, do you think that social media allows for less or more impression management? Why? Be sure to provide evidence for your opinion

Learning Objective: 11-2: Discuss social problems related to the media including loss of privacy, the digital divide, and media trustworthiness.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge | Analysis

Answer Location: The Media and Social Problems: Loss of Privacy

Difficulty Level: Medium