Deck 11: Health Images in the Media

Question 1

Which of the following theories suggests that it is natural to see yourself in relation to others, but unrealistically comparing yourself to a supermodel can be self-destructive?

A) Social comparison theory
B) Media backlash theory
C) Cultivation theory
D) The principle of media reactivity

Answer 1

A
Explanation: Social comparison theory proposes people judge themselves largely in comparison to others

Question 2

You notice that your niece's favorite actor is shown on screen smoking a popular brand of cigarettes. You are aware that it is illegal for celebrities to appear in tobacco ads, but you wonder if the tobacco company is rewarding the actor or producer for promoting cigarette smoking in the movies. If so, this would be an illegal form of

A) Social exchange theory
B) Product placement
C) Health belief bias
D) Media backlash

Answer 2

B
Explanation: Paid inclusion of products or brand names in movies, television programs, video games, or other forms of entertainment is called product placement.

Question 3

When advertisers make people feel embarrassed about normal body functions or characteristics, they are said to:

A) Condone the human body
B) Consecrate the human body
C) Pathologize the human body
D) Objectify the human body

Answer 3

C
Explanation: Pathologizing the human body is making natural functions seem weird and unnatural.

Question 4

Why is medical science difficult to cover effectively in the media?

A) Medical researchers are hesitant to publish their study results.
B) Scientific studies often contradict each other.
C) The public is not very interested in health news.
D) Extraordinary health events are often over-shadowed by coverage of everyday concerns such as vaccinations or minor illnesses.

Question 5

What is "happy violence," as described by researcher George Gerbner?

A) Violence that occurs when people are having a good time.
B) Audience's pleased reaction when bad people die slow, violent deaths.
C) Violence from which "good" people recover swiftly and painlessly.
D) Mildly violent scenes in which no one is hurt.

Question 6

Your niece takes part in a media literacy unit at her junior high school. If her teachers follow the literacy model described in your book, she is likely to do all of the following EXCEPT:

A) Learn to distinguish between informative and persuasive messages.
B) Break down media messages into specific components such as main points, implied messages, and goals.
C) Watch media messages for several hours until she is desensitized to them.
D) Experiment by creating alternative media messages.

Question 7

Your best friend is worried about his four-year-old son's television viewing habits. Based on cultivation theory, you tell your friend:

A) Children are at high risk if they watch a lot of TV.
B) Children are at high risk if they don't have much real-life exposure to what they are watching.
C) Children are at high risk if the messages they see on TV are consistent.
D) All of the above

Question 8

Many health professionals worry that pharmaceutical ads will lead patients to self-diagnose and pin their hopes on "designer drugs" that may not be healthy or appropriate for them. When drug companies market their products via the mass media rather than to doctors, it is called:

A) Fee-for-service appeals
B) Private vs. public health promotion
C) Social marketing
D) Direct-to-consumer advertising

Question 9

People were highly critical of R. J. Reynolds's Joe Camel campaign because the spokesperson was designed to look like a cartoon character. When sales pitches resemble elements of prime-time programming, they are called:

A) Entertainomercials
B) Documercials
C) Prosocial programming
D) Adverdramas

Question 10

What do media critics say about messages that depict obesity as a beauty issue?

A) Unrealistic standards influence some women to develop eating disorders.
B) Casting obesity as a beauty issue trivializes its importance as a health issue.
C) Body image does not get enough attention in the media.
D) Both A and B

Question 11

At one point, people thought that increasing the number of cable TV channels would offer greater diversity. Instead, many analysts now feel we are bombarded by even more messages promoting the same stereotypes. Which theory proposes that we are affected by the type and amount of messages we experience through mass media?

A) Cultivation theory
B) Standpoint theory
C) Social exchange theory
D) Social learning theory

Question 12

Which of the following theories explains why children sometimes mimic the behaviors of characters they see on TV and in movies.

A) Social comparison theory
B) Social learning theory
C) Media learning theory
D) None of the above

Question 13

Research about food advertisements that are aimed at children indicates that:

A) Ads marketed to children often misrepresent foods' nutritional value.
B) Children tend to assume that heavily advertised foods are less healthy than other foods.
C) Children tend to ignore packages and advertisements.
D) All of the above

Question 14

"The media doesn't influence me, but my sister's friends are clearly very much influenced. They always wear the latest fashions!" The common belief that we aren't influenced by media messages but other people are is known as:

A) Social learning theorem
B) Personal immunity delusion
C) Third-person effect
D) First-person effect

Question 15

The producers of a popular teenage soap opera decide to portray the characters engaging in healthy behaviors in hopes that young viewers will benefit from emulating their favorite characters. This is an example of:

A) Product placement
B) Social exchange theory
C) Entertainment-education
D) Documercials

Question 16

In which stage of media literacy training do participants discuss their perceptions of media and of specific media messages?

A) Analytic
B) Construction
C) Contemplation
D) Deliberation

Question 17

Sexual objectification occurs when:

A) People are treated as interchangeable.
B) People are depicted as animals or things.
C) A person is not seen as a whole and unique person with needs and desires of their own.
D) All of the above

Question 18

As described in your text, radio advertisements for e-cigarettes appeal to young audiences by:

A) Using humor
B) Focusing on the wide range of flavors available
C) Comparing the low price of e-cigarettes with the higher cost of "traditional" cigarettes
D) Both A and B

Question 19

Research about exposure to alcohol advertisements and teens' alcohol consumption found:

A) No association.
B) A positive association between ad exposure and binge drinking.
C) The number of alcohol ads seen is directly proportional to the number of drinks consumed over a one-year period.
D) The association between ads and drinking is strongest among older teens.

Question 20

Researchers have found a link between viewing objectifying alcohol advertisements and:

A) Binge drinking among young people.
B) Young people's reluctance to intervene in situations involving sexual assault and alcohol.
C) Young people's willingness to intervene in situations involving sexual assault and alcohol.
D) Both A and B

Question 21

In media portrayals, people with disabilities are often portrayed as disadvantaged, as unhealthy victims, or as super crips who do everything able-bodied people can do but better.

Question 22

Research has shown that storylines in scripted television shows tend to highlight casual sex, unsafe sex practices (e.g., not using condoms), and sexual violence.

Question 23

FDA fair balance guidelines stipulate that if advertisers present the potential benefits of a drug, they must also report potentially harmful side effects.

Question 24

Nearly one-third of radio ads for alcoholic beverages air when the listening audience is mostly teens rather than adults.

Question 25

Television portrayals tend to exaggerate the success of lifesaving measures such as CPR.

Question 26

Children and teens who have TVs in their bedrooms are, on average, healthier and weigh less than their peers.

Question 27

One tip for health news writers is to rely on one solid source of information rather than consulting multiple sources.

Question 28

Media professionals are criticized for focusing on sensational health news rather than useful information about everyday concerns.

Question 29

People who watch a lot of medical dramas are less inclined to believe that luck and chance decide the state of their health.

Question 30

Researchers have found a link between viewing objectifying alcohol advertisements and young people's reluctance to intervene in situations involving sexual assault and alcohol.

Question 31

Describe two ways in which DTCA is beneficial and three ways in which it can be harmful.

Question 32

Describe the three stages involved in teaching media literacy.

Question 33

Describe two ways people with disabilities are often portrayed in entertainment programming.