Media Effects Theories Quiz

Media Effects Theories

• Cultivation Theory (Mean World Syndrome): Prolonged media exposure, particularly TV, shapes viewers' perceptions of reality, making the world seem more dangerous than it is.
• Agenda-Setting Theory: Media influences what issues are considered important by highlighting certain topics in news coverage, not dictating people's opinions.
• Selective Exposure: People prefer media aligning with their existing beliefs, avoiding contradicting content, thus reinforcing biases.
• Social Learning Theory: People learn behaviors by observing, imitating, and modeling, influenced by media portrayals.
• Parasocial Relationships: One-sided emotional connections with media personalities, like TV stars or influencers, without actual interaction.
• Uses and Gratifications: People actively engage with media to fulfill specific needs like entertainment, information, or social interaction.
• Third-Person Effect: People believe media affects others more than themselves, concluding less personal influence.
• Spiral of Silence: Individuals might suppress opinions if perceived as minority views to avoid isolation, leading dominant viewpoints to prevail.
• Hypodermic Approach / Magic Bullet Theory: Media messages directly affect passive audiences causing immediate results.

Media History and Examples

• Natural Born Killers: A controversial film discussed in media studies for its portrayal of violence and its effects on audiences.
• Media Addiction: Compulsive media use negatively impacting mental health and social life.
• Storyteller/Scribe: Historical roles in communication regarding information preservation and sharing in oral and written mediums.
• Message Distortion (Telephone Tag): Distortion of messages passed between individuals, resembling the game.
• Gutenberg and the Printing Press: Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized mass communication by improving printing materials’ accessibility, and boosting knowledge dissemination.
• Cultural Hierarchy: Classifies cultural products (high, middle, or low culture) based on perceived value.

Historical Newspapers and Magazines

• Publick Occurrences (Benjamin Harris): First colonial newspaper (1690), marking American journalism's start.
• Boston News-Letter: First regularly published newspaper in the American colonies (1704).
• Pennsylvania Gazette (Ben Franklin): Prominent, politically influential newspaper known for its journalism.
• Yellow Journalism: Sensationalized, inaccurate news reporting (e.g., New York World).
• Penny Press (New York Sun): Affordable newspapers targeting the general public, emphasizing local news.
• Modern Journalism (New York Times): Objective, fact-based reporting shaping modern journalism standards.
• Wire Service (Associated Press - AP): News agency distributing reports to media, accelerating journalism.

Roles, Evolution, and Challenges

• Watchdog Role of Journalism: Investigative reporting holds government and corporations accountable.
• Generational Effect: Differences in media use (e.g., younger generations engaging less with newspapers).
• Paywall: System restricting online content access unless subscribers pay.
• Bloggers: Online content creators influencing public opinion outside traditional media.
• Christian Journal and Advocate: Early media platform reflecting the role of faith-based publishing.
• Saturday Evening Post: Long-running U.S. magazine highlighting general-interest content & iconic covers.
• Niched/Specialized Magazines: Magazines focused on specific audiences and industries.
• General-Interest Magazines: Magazines aimed at broad audiences, focusing on easily appealing content.
• Ethnic Publications: Media outlets serving specific ethnic communities with localized content.
• Pass-Along Circulation: Increased readership beyond the original buyer of a publication.
• Impulse Buy: Unplanned purchases influenced by strategic product placement

Media Business and Technology

• News Deserts: Areas with limited access to credible local news.
• Chip and Joanna Gaines (Magnolia Journal): Expanded brand beyond TV to magazines, books, home goods.
• Ancillary Products: Additional products or services related to a media brand (merchandise, events).
• Consumer Reports: Publication known for unbiased product reviews and consumer advocacy.
• Highlights for Children: Popular children's magazine with educational content.

Concepts and Phases of Mass Media

• Phases of Mass Communication: Oral, written, print, electronic, and digital.
• Mass Communication & Industrial Revolution: Industrial advancements accelerated media production and distribution.
• Media Effects (Minimal, Moderate, Massive): Different levels of media influence on people's attitudes and behaviors.
• Social & Psychological Factors for Massive Effects: Emotional arousal, social isolation, repeated exposure to specific content.
• Social Interactions & Technology: Technology shifts communication methods across generations.
• Role of Elites in Slowing Tech Diffusion: Elites used communication technologies to maintain power.
• Importance of the Telegraph: Rapidized long-distance communication, especially for news agencies.
• Roles of Newspapers: Information, public opinion shaping, specialized info, entertaining content.

Newspapers: Decline and Adaptations

• Decline of Newspaper Readership: Digital media's dominance, dwindling advertising revenue, demographic shifts.
• New Business Models for Newspapers: Paywalls, digital-first strategies, niche community reporting.

Magazines: Evolution and Relevance

• Magazines as First Mass Medium: Affordable, portable, reaching a broad audience.
• Societal Changes for Magazine Distribution: Improvements in transportation, postal services, increased literacy.
• Importance of Saturday Evening Post: Long-lasting influence due to broad audience appeal.
• Impact of Advertising on Magazines: Shift from minimal to extensive advertising changed magazine economies and content.
• Importance of Ladies' Home Journal: Pioneered investigative journalism, influenced consumer habits.
• Importance of Life Magazine: Introduced iconic photojournalism.
• Importance of TV Guide: Essential for TV programming guidance.
• Importance of People Magazine: Popularized celebrity journalism.
• Collapse of the Penny Press Model: Decline from shifts to advertising focused on TV.

Magazine Business and Roles

• Magazine Business Models: Hybrid (subscriptions, newsstand, advertising), grocery store model (impulse buys), controlled circulation (ad-funded free distribution).
• Leading Magazines (1972 vs. 2020): Shows changes in media consumption.
• Magazine Specialization by Demographics: Targeting audiences based on their demographics and interests.
• Magazine Jobs: Editors oversee publications, reporters gather and write, photojournalists capture imagery.