Question 1

Gerbner believed that the media directly influence people's behaviors.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 2

Between 1993 and 1996, there was a 20 percent decrease in the homicide rate in the United States. During this same time, the number of homicide stories on the news

Accepted Answer

A)  decreased by the same rate 
B)  stayed the same 
C)  increased by 721 percent 
D)  none of these 
A)  decreased by the same rate 
B)  stayed the same 
C)  increased by 721 percent 
D)  none of these C

Question 3

Using the standard criteria for evaluating communication theories, evaluate Cultivation Theory.

Accepted Answer

Cultivation Theory is a communication theory that examines the long-term effects of television on viewers. According to the standard criteria for evaluating communication theories, Cultivation Theory can be assessed in terms of its explanatory power, predictive power, and practical utility.

In terms of explanatory power, Cultivation Theory effectively explains how the repeated exposure to certain messages and images on television can shape viewers' perceptions of reality. The theory posits that heavy television viewers are more likely to perceive the world in ways that are consistent with the portrayals they see on television, leading to a "cultivation" of certain beliefs and attitudes. This explanation has been supported by numerous empirical studies and has been influential in the field of media effects research.

In terms of predictive power, Cultivation Theory has been successful in predicting certain patterns of attitudes and behaviors among heavy television viewers. For example, the theory predicts that heavy viewers are more likely to overestimate the prevalence of violence and crime in society, and research has shown that this is indeed the case. This predictive power has contributed to the theory's credibility and relevance in understanding the impact of television on audiences.

In terms of practical utility, Cultivation Theory has been used to inform media literacy programs and media advocacy efforts aimed at promoting more balanced and critical consumption of television content. By highlighting the potential effects of long-term exposure to certain media messages, the theory has provided a framework for addressing concerns about the influence of television on society.

Overall, Cultivation Theory demonstrates strong explanatory and predictive power, as well as practical utility in addressing real-world issues related to media effects. As such, it can be considered a valuable and influential communication theory according to the standard criteria for evaluation.

Question 4

_________ occurs when television's symbols dominate other sources of information and ideas about the world.

Accepted Answer

A)  Mainstreaming 
B)  Cultivation incongruence 
C)  Resonance 
D)  Third-order reasoning 
A)  Mainstreaming 
B)  Cultivation incongruence 
C)  Resonance 
D)  Third-order reasoning

Question 5

Cultivation theory (CT)

Accepted Answer

A)  makes a causal argument linking television viewing and perceptions of social reality 
B)  makes a correlational argument linking television viewing and perceptions of social reality 
C)  considers television to be a minor influence on perceptions of social reality 
D)  argues that the internet is a more powerful influence on perceptions of social reality than television 
A)  makes a causal argument linking television viewing and perceptions of social reality 
B)  makes a correlational argument linking television viewing and perceptions of social reality 
C)  considers television to be a minor influence on perceptions of social reality 
D)  argues that the internet is a more powerful influence on perceptions of social reality than television

Question 6

Identifying as a member of a particular co-culture influence the mainstreaming process.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

The Violence Index is

Accepted Answer

A)  the extent to which violent images on television make people think the world is a violent place. 
B)  a yearly content analysis of violence in primetime network programming. 
C)  a means of defining what counts as violence so it may be measured. 
D)  a belief that media are senders of violent messages across space. 
A)  the extent to which violent images on television make people think the world is a violent place. 
B)  a yearly content analysis of violence in primetime network programming. 
C)  a means of defining what counts as violence so it may be measured. 
D)  a belief that media are senders of violent messages across space.

Question 8

In the _________ perspective of communication, media are seen as central to the maintenance of society.

Accepted Answer

A)  transmissional 
B)  mainstreaming 
C)  ritual 
D)  phenomenological 
A)  transmissional 
B)  mainstreaming 
C)  ritual 
D)  phenomenological

Question 9

Which of the following is the second step of the four-step process for conducting cultivation theory research?

Accepted Answer

A)  defining what counts as violence 
B)  formulation of questions about viewers' social realities 
C)  measurement of the amount of viewing 
D)  comparing social realities of heavy and light viewers 
A)  defining what counts as violence 
B)  formulation of questions about viewers' social realities 
C)  measurement of the amount of viewing 
D)  comparing social realities of heavy and light viewers

Question 10

Select a particular phenomenon (other than violence) that is portrayed on television, and describe how you would use the four-step process to analyze its existence and possible cultivation effects.

Accepted Answer

One particular phenomenon portrayed on t

Question 11

Gerbner noted that resonance ____________ cultivation effects.

Accepted Answer

A)  amplifies 
B)  teaches 
C)  follows 
D)  prevents 
A)  amplifies 
B)  teaches 
C)  follows 
D)  prevents

Question 12

The goal of the PROD was to examine the distortion in representation of various co-cultures across the demography of the media landscape.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

What is the "Mean World Index,"
and how is it related to cultivation theory?

Accepted Answer

The "Mean World Index" is a measure of t

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT an assumption of cultivation theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  Television is essentially and fundamentally different from other forms of mass media. 
B)  Television shapes our society's way of thinking and relating. 
C)  The influence of television is limited. 
D)  All viewers of television think of the world as "mean and scary." 
A)  Television is essentially and fundamentally different from other forms of mass media. 
B)  Television shapes our society's way of thinking and relating. 
C)  The influence of television is limited. 
D)  All viewers of television think of the world as "mean and scary."

Question 15

Discuss "reality TV"
(Survivor, Fear Factor, etc.) and the extent to which Cultivation theorists would analyze these shows. What features of reality television are important to study? In your opinion, what would Gerbner say about this television programming?

Accepted Answer

Reality TV shows such as Survivor and Fe

Question 16

To empirically demonstrate their belief that television has an important causal effect on culture, cultivation theory researchers use a four-step research process. Which of the following activities is associated with the first step, known as message system analysis?

Accepted Answer

A)  developing questions about people's understanding of their everyday lives 
B)  doing a detailed content analysis of a television program 
C)  distributing a survey to participants in a study 
D)  comparing the social realities of light and heavy viewers 
A)  developing questions about people's understanding of their everyday lives 
B)  doing a detailed content analysis of a television program 
C)  distributing a survey to participants in a study 
D)  comparing the social realities of light and heavy viewers

Question 17

Do you agree that audiences' increased ability to be selective through technology like TiVo and online streaming makes Cultivation Theory less applicable than it has been in the past? Explain and justify your answer.

Accepted Answer

I agree that audiences' increased abilit

Question 18

Cultivation theory is concerned with what people do as a result of too much exposure to violence on television.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Discuss the role of television as storyteller in society. How does television function as a way for different groups of people to come together? Using concepts from the theory, what is the consequence of having television serve as the nation's storyteller?

Accepted Answer

Television plays a significant role as a

Question 20

Learning values and assumptions from the media is also called

Accepted Answer

A)  secondary learning 
B)  first order effects 
C)  primary learning 
D)  second order effects 
A)  secondary learning 
B)  first order effects 
C)  primary learning 
D)  second order effects

Exam 24: Cultivation Theory

Gerbner believed that the media directly influence people's behaviors.

Between 1993 and 1996, there was a 20 percent decrease in the homicide rate in the United States. During this same time, the number of homicide stories on the news

Using the standard criteria for evaluating communication theories, evaluate Cultivation Theory.

_________ occurs when television's symbols dominate other sources of information and ideas about the world.

Cultivation theory (CT)

Identifying as a member of a particular co-culture influence the mainstreaming process.

The Violence Index is

In the _________ perspective of communication, media are seen as central to the maintenance of society.

Which of the following is the second step of the four-step process for conducting cultivation theory research?

Select a particular phenomenon (other than violence) that is portrayed on television, and describe how you would use the four-step process to analyze its existence and possible cultivation effects.

Gerbner noted that resonance ____________ cultivation effects.

The goal of the PROD was to examine the distortion in representation of various co-cultures across the demography of the media landscape.

What is the "Mean World Index," and how is it related to cultivation theory?

Which of the following is NOT an assumption of cultivation theory?

Discuss "reality TV" (Survivor, Fear Factor, etc.) and the extent to which Cultivation theorists would analyze these shows. What features of reality television are important to study? In your opinion, what would Gerbner say about this television programming?

To empirically demonstrate their belief that television has an important causal effect on culture, cultivation theory researchers use a four-step research process. Which of the following activities is associated with the first step, known as message system analysis?

Do you agree that audiences' increased ability to be selective through technology like TiVo and online streaming makes Cultivation Theory less applicable than it has been in the past? Explain and justify your answer.

Cultivation theory is concerned with what people do as a result of too much exposure to violence on television.

Discuss the role of television as storyteller in society. How does television function as a way for different groups of people to come together? Using concepts from the theory, what is the consequence of having television serve as the nation's storyteller?

Learning values and assumptions from the media is also called

Thinking About Communication: Definitions, Models, and Ethics

Thinking About the Field: Traditions and Contexts

Thinking About Theory and Research

Symbolic Interaction Theory

Coordinated Management of Meaning

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Expectancy Violations Theory

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Social Exchange Theory

Social Penetration Theory

Relational Dialectics Theory

Communication Privacy Management Theory

Social Information Processing

Groupthink

Structuration Theory

Organizational Culture Theory

Organizational Information Theory

The Rhetoric

Dramatism

The Narrative Paradigm

Agenda Setting Theory

Spiral of Silence Theory

Uses and Gratifications Theory

Cultural Studies

Media Ecology Theory

Face-Negotiation Theory

Communication Accommodation Theory

Muted Group Theory

Feminist Standpoint Theory

Filters