Question 1

In what ways do "traditional media" and the pervasive "converged" media differ? Do you believe that the traditional media are still powerful? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Ideal answers will include the following information: •Traditional media are published by professional communicators with large audiences and very little interactivity. •Converged media are user-generated, directed at a smaller audience, and more interactive. Responses to the question of power will vary but may note differences in the perception of legitimacy between blogs and tweets as compared to newspaper audiences and may also note that traditional media still seem to set the agenda for public discourse (for example, a story isn't legitimate until it is reported in the traditional media). Although converged media provide a greater variety of gatekeepers, some are still able to reach larger audiences and speak with more authority than others.

Question 2

Television is often characterized and criticized as low culture. Do you think this is a fair assessment? Is it fair to disregard the cultural importance of television because much of it appeals to our base needs? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Ideal answers should touch on some of the following ideas: •Television today includes more narrative complexity than it did in the past, so not all television represents low culture. •Even low-culture programming may serve a purpose-uses and gratifications perspective suggests that we seek out programming that meets our needs. •Even if we don't appreciate the content, we must acknowledge the power of the message because it models behavior for us (social cognitive theory) and may influence our perceptions of the world (cultivation theory). •Media set the agenda for public conversations, which further suggests that television content (whether high or low culture) warrants analysis.

Question 3

Should we be concerned about media bias? Synthesizing concepts and theories from throughout this chapter, justify your answer.

Accepted Answer

Ideal answers will incorporate the following ideas: •Television today narrowcasts more than it did in the past, appealing to niche markets. •There is a greater variety of voices included in today's media, but most people still primarily seek out media sources that reflect their current viewpoint. •Most people perceive others to be more influenced by media bias than they themselves are (third-person effect). •Biased media may set a biased agenda for public conversation. •The diversity of biased sources may lead us to perceive that we are more divided on issues than we really are (cultivation theory).

Question 4

Uses and gratifications perspective argues that we choose which media to access based on our needs and goals. Reflecting on your own media habits, discuss the way you use various media (Internet, television, music, film, etc.) to meet your own needs and goals. Provide specific examples to illustrate your answer.
Answer Key

Accepted Answer

The answer of Uses and gratifications perspective argues that we...

Question 5

Research cited in your text indicates that most teens and young adults interact with media for more than seven hours each day, and that media multitasking may mean they are exposed to even more media messages. Based on your own observation, do you believe this estimate is accurate? How do your own media habits compare to that statistic?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research cited in your text indicates that...

Question 6

Your sister and her husband are discussing what television programming is appropriate for your five-year-old niece. Based on what you read in this chapter, what information would you share with them about the potential negative and positive effects of media messages on children, as well as regulation of the content on television?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your sister and her husband are discussing...

Exam 21: Media Analysis and Reflections

In what ways do "traditional media" and the pervasive "converged" media differ? Do you believe that the traditional media are still powerful? Why or why not?

Television is often characterized and criticized as low culture. Do you think this is a fair assessment? Is it fair to disregard the cultural importance of television because much of it appeals to our base needs? Why or why not?

Should we be concerned about media bias? Synthesizing concepts and theories from throughout this chapter, justify your answer.