Critical Thinking in Communication Studies Exam

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Questions and Answers

What role do media representations play in shaping our behavior according to the discussed theories?

They help internalize societal norms and influence daily behavior. (correct)

They completely transform our values and beliefs.

They have no significant impact on behavior.

They create entirely new social structures unrelated to existing ones.

In Bourdieu's theory, what does the term 'habitus' refer to?

The collection of physical resources one possesses.

The formal structures within society that govern interaction.

Mental schemes that shape perceptions and attitudes. (correct)

The external circumstances that dictate behavior.

What does Bourdieu mean by 'structured structures' and 'structuring structure' in relation to habitus?

They emphasize the importance of physical capitol over social capital.

They indicate that social behavior changes independently of perceptions.

They refer to fixed systems without flexibility.

They illustrate the reciprocal relationship between social structures and individual behavior. (correct)

According to the concept of schemata, what do mental structures consist of?

Information categories and connections between them. Signup and view all the answers

How does Bourdieu's theory address cultural inequality?

By highlighting unequal access to different types of capital. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between fields in Bourdieu's framework?

Some fields dominate others, reflecting a hierarchy. Signup and view all the answers

What role does 'capital' play in Bourdieu's theory?

It is interchangeable and can influence one's position in a field. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bourdieu suggest about the function of habitus in media interpretation?

Habitus allows individuals to decode media messages effectively based on their background. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of social and political elites in social determinism?

They are granted absolute power over technology and society. Signup and view all the answers

In cultural studies, who is considered the most relevant social group in the technological development process?

Users Signup and view all the answers

What leads to the interpretative flexibility of technology stabilizing into a predominant meaning?

User adaptation and societal acceptance Signup and view all the answers

How do technological developments eventually become viewed in society?

As symbolic, reliable, and trustworthy tools Signup and view all the answers

What primary interest do industries have in a capitalist system?

To maximize profits Signup and view all the answers

What market condition limits competition significantly in the media sector?

Lack of regulatory measures and presence of dominant companies Signup and view all the answers

According to Freeman and Perez, how does a technological revolution differ from a social revolution defined by Marxist thinkers?

Technological revolutions introduce new paradigms without immediate societal change. Signup and view all the answers

What consequence can follow the introduction of a new technological paradigm as described by Freeman and Perez?

Market saturation due to existing investments Signup and view all the answers

What does structuralism emphasize in the context of social sciences?

The existence of underlying structures that shape social interactions. Signup and view all the answers

How does interpretivism differ from positivism?

Interpretivism emphasizes understanding social meaning through interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'domestication of technologies' primarily refer to?

The appropriation of technology to integrate it into everyday life. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the domestication of technology significant in cultural studies?

It reflects the cultural integration of technology into users' lives. Signup and view all the answers

In what way is technological development described as a social process?

It leads to social change and is influenced by power dynamics. Signup and view all the answers

What does the statement 'facts never speak for themselves' imply?

Understanding facts requires social context and interpretation. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does cultural studies emphasize regarding technology?

The social shaping and interpretation of technology by users. Signup and view all the answers

How can the example of TVs illustrate the domestication of technology?

TVs have transitioned from public to intimate use in homes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step enterprises typically take when a new technology is introduced?

They start buying the new product. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the effect of technological revolution on power relations in society?

It only changes daily work processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential downside of a free media market economy?

It can result in reduced market diversity. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon do we often observe in real markets, contrary to the theory of perfect competition?

Concentration tendencies leading to failures. Signup and view all the answers

What does a free market based on supply and demand typically lack?

Regulation by government. Signup and view all the answers

What are the consequences of concentration tendencies such as monopoly or oligopoly in the media market?

Stronger influence of a few media moguls. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of competition in a free market according to the analysis provided?

It enhances the availability of contrary views. Signup and view all the answers

Which example best illustrates the initial use of a new technology before widespread adoption?

The telephone first used for business communications. Signup and view all the answers

What is Fuchs' main critique of technology companies in relation to society?

They exploit users within existing power relations. Signup and view all the answers

What term does Fuchs use to describe the issue of technology companies focusing solely on profit?

Economic reductionism Signup and view all the answers

How does Fuchs suggest social media platforms influence consumer behavior?

They facilitate the transfer of production to the consumer. Signup and view all the answers

According to Fuchs, which of the following contributes to the generation of surplus value?

Targeted advertising and market monitoring Signup and view all the answers

What emphasis does Fuchs place on analyzing social media’s impact on society?

The political economy and visibility asymmetries. Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of the commodification promoted by technologies and the internet, as mentioned by Fuchs?

Promotion of consumerism and capitalism. Signup and view all the answers

What does Fuchs state about access to technology?

Material and cognitive barriers exist, limiting access. Signup and view all the answers

Which concept from Marx does Fuchs refer to when discussing the generation of profit?

Surplus value Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of user commodification in the Internet suggest?

It contributes to the exploitation under neoliberal capitalism. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between exploitation and ideology in media according to Fuchs?

Exploitation is often hidden by ideological narratives. Signup and view all the answers

What critique does Garnham offer regarding Fuchs's theories?

They are irrelevant in contemporary environments. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested as a necessity for the future of the Internet?

A revolution to reclaim it from corporate control. Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective is emphasized when analyzing social media platforms?

The political economy of these platforms. Signup and view all the answers

What does Fuchs suggest about the role of social media ideology?

It idealizes social media to mask class interests. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary critique of Marxism discussed in the content?

It limits the understanding of contemporary capitalism. Signup and view all the answers

How do commercial social media platforms fundamentally function according to the content?

They create non-participatory user experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Examen CTCS - Questions

The exam is for Critical Thinking in Communication Studies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
The questions focus on political economy and cultural studies perspectives on science, worldviews, and examples.
The exam considers tensions between positivism and interpretivism, objectivism and subjectivism, and conflict and consensus.
Positivism views social investigation similar to the physical world with observable phenomena while interpretivism emphasizes understanding how people give meaning to their social worlds.
Objectivism suggests human agency is determined by circumstances and the environment, while subjectivism posits human agency as having free will and influencing their environment.
Theories emphasizing conflict between social groups are contrasted with those advocating for consensus/agreement.
Political Science is often situated on the objectivism and conflict/contradiction edge.
Cultural Studies is mostly in subjectivism, conflict/contradiction, and edge connecting to consensus/equilibrium.
Contemporary political economy has two definitions: economic policy (government intervention) and political aspects of the economy (interconnectedness of politics and economics).
Classical economics (non-Marxist) aligns with the market withdrawal from the economy, whereas Marxist political economy opposes the effects of such withdrawal.
Technological development is a social process, leading to social change.
Neoclassical economics, evolving from Classical economics, emphasizes a growing division of labor, increasing efficiency, local or regional specialization, and market-based organization.
Marxist political economy examines how media production, and consumption contribute to political hegemony, arguing that this is done via ideologies and consumerism.
Media production is linked to a capitalist media culture, where content, attention, audiences, and labor are treated as commodities to produce and profit from.
Social media platforms' influence on political thought and participation, according to Fuchs, is based on capital accumulation models, exploiting user labor for profit.
Garnham criticized Fuchs' analysis, suggesting a broader historical framework.
Celebrity politics illustrate aspects of both political economy and cultural studies by examining how famous individuals use their status to affect political outcomes and how mainstream audiences perceive their political stances.
Conflicts arise because of differences in how people interpret the function of media. (information/ representation)
Different theories on the media's function coexist.
Media representation and information functions are often in conflict, highlighting whether media functions to support the public sphere or serve private interests.
Production and consumption perspectives on news construction are discussed, including ideology, communication, control, concentration, and commodification.
Structuration theory is discussed as a critique on Marxist political economy of the media, using concepts like agency, structure, and schemata.
Bourdieu's field theory and notion of habitus are applied to media consumption and decoding of media messages, with emphasis on cultural capital and mental structures.

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Description

This quiz evaluates your knowledge of critical thinking in Communication Studies, particularly within the context of political economy and cultural studies. It explores key concepts such as positivism vs. interpretivism and objectivism vs. subjectivism, providing a comprehensive understanding of social theories and their implications. Prepare to analyze tensions between different perspectives on science and societal issues.