CTR FINAL UPDATED Exam Questions
and CORRECT Answers
Technological Determinism - Correct Answer- Changes in the mode of communication, or the
medium, lead to change in the culture. This connects to Marshall McLuhan's ideas, and media
is assumed to be anything that amplifies a bodily organ, sense, or function. New modes of
communication change all aspects of a society. For example, McLuhan would argue that the
alphabet made humans think linearly, and that writing led to bureaucracy, architecture, and
more.
Excitation Transfer Theory - Correct Answer- A strong emotional response can lead to a
lingering and increased arousal period, which can be further affected later. For example, an
angry husband who watches a violent show may physically abuse his wife later that day if he
is provoked.
Cultivation Theory - Correct Answer- This theory suggests that media cultivates certain
attitudes in people. The narrow view of this theory states that watching more (physical)
violence on TV will lead someone to believe that there is more (physical) violence in the
world than there actually is. This can be determined through surveys that ask about media
consumption [light viewers watch less than 2 hours of TV a day, medium viewers watch 2-4
hours, and heavy viewers watch more than 4 hours] and what content people are specifically
watching. Heavy viewers are more likely to be paranoid because they can view the real world
as if it is the TV world. Violence is partially defined as "the overt expression of physical force
with or without a weapon to the self or others with an intent to harm", according to Gerbner.
-Similar to technological determinism because both note that media have an impact on
society. Different from technological determinism because this theory deals with content and
tech determinism deals with media.
Symbolic double jeopardy - Correct Answer- This theory argues that minorities are
underrepresented on TV in comparison to the percentage of minorities in real life. However,
minorities are overrepresented as victims of violence on TV in comparison to the percentage
of minorities who are victims of violence in real life. Minorities - for the purposes of this
study - are the elderly, women, ethnic minorities, and blue collar workers.
Functionalism - Correct Answer- The relationship between mass media and social order in
society, namely a strong economy and appropriate life expectations among citizens. The
theory states that media contribute various messages to make life seem more fair and
acceptable. These messages are: 1) There is room at the top; 2) Anyone can achieve or make
it; 3) It's not so great at the top. A potential fourth message is that women should stay home.
, These messages serve to make this system of imbalanced conditions acceptable to those who
might otherwise react or rebel.
Uses & Gratifications Theory - Correct Answer- People pick and choose certain media for
different reasons to gratify certain needs. In essence, individuals choose to consume media
that will have a desired effect on them. This theory does rely on self reporting and is the
opposite of the "magic bullet" model. This theory also relates to parasocial relationships, or a
connection to someone that the viewer does not know, such as an actor or a TV character.
Speech Codes Theory - Correct Answer- Each community has multiple speech codes which
reveal information about the culture. We can learn how a community feels about: itself, its
relationships, its speaking, and its values. Speech codes detail the rules for communication in
a system, so it is not detailing dialects or accents. Speech codes are more than rules, but a
system that a group of people have constructed and agreed upon, different from that of other
groups. There are implicit rules for what is acceptable in relation to speech. Different cultures
can include households, classrooms, or any other environment.
Interactional View - Correct Answer- Another systems theory (like functionalism) that states
a family is a system, where a change in any component or family member affects the entire
system; also known as "pragmatics". It is easier to analyze dysfunctional families. Families
are self-regulating and everyone has different roles (such as the enabler, denier, hero, etc.) in
a game of sorts that is played through communication even though it isn't discussed. Instead,
there are four axioms that are greater than spoken communication:
-1) One cannot not communicate because all behavior is communication; an example is the
silent treatment.
-2) All messages have a content level (literal meaning of words) and relational level (what the
words on the content level suggests about us and the relationship) of meaning, which is how
relationships are negotiated.
--The three forms of this are: 1) See me as...; 2) I see you as...; and 3) We have the kind of
relationship where...
--These bids can be: 1) confirm accepted (yes/no); 2) confirm rejected ("why are you asking
me that?"), or; 3) disconfirmed (change in the subject or deferral).
-3) The nature of the relationships depends on how the communication sequence is
punctuated, or how behavior is understood.
-4) All communication is symmetrical (both people trying to one-up each other/be dominant),
complementary (one person is dominant and one person is submissive), and transitory
(unclear).
and CORRECT Answers
Technological Determinism - Correct Answer- Changes in the mode of communication, or the
medium, lead to change in the culture. This connects to Marshall McLuhan's ideas, and media
is assumed to be anything that amplifies a bodily organ, sense, or function. New modes of
communication change all aspects of a society. For example, McLuhan would argue that the
alphabet made humans think linearly, and that writing led to bureaucracy, architecture, and
more.
Excitation Transfer Theory - Correct Answer- A strong emotional response can lead to a
lingering and increased arousal period, which can be further affected later. For example, an
angry husband who watches a violent show may physically abuse his wife later that day if he
is provoked.
Cultivation Theory - Correct Answer- This theory suggests that media cultivates certain
attitudes in people. The narrow view of this theory states that watching more (physical)
violence on TV will lead someone to believe that there is more (physical) violence in the
world than there actually is. This can be determined through surveys that ask about media
consumption [light viewers watch less than 2 hours of TV a day, medium viewers watch 2-4
hours, and heavy viewers watch more than 4 hours] and what content people are specifically
watching. Heavy viewers are more likely to be paranoid because they can view the real world
as if it is the TV world. Violence is partially defined as "the overt expression of physical force
with or without a weapon to the self or others with an intent to harm", according to Gerbner.
-Similar to technological determinism because both note that media have an impact on
society. Different from technological determinism because this theory deals with content and
tech determinism deals with media.
Symbolic double jeopardy - Correct Answer- This theory argues that minorities are
underrepresented on TV in comparison to the percentage of minorities in real life. However,
minorities are overrepresented as victims of violence on TV in comparison to the percentage
of minorities who are victims of violence in real life. Minorities - for the purposes of this
study - are the elderly, women, ethnic minorities, and blue collar workers.
Functionalism - Correct Answer- The relationship between mass media and social order in
society, namely a strong economy and appropriate life expectations among citizens. The
theory states that media contribute various messages to make life seem more fair and
acceptable. These messages are: 1) There is room at the top; 2) Anyone can achieve or make
it; 3) It's not so great at the top. A potential fourth message is that women should stay home.
, These messages serve to make this system of imbalanced conditions acceptable to those who
might otherwise react or rebel.
Uses & Gratifications Theory - Correct Answer- People pick and choose certain media for
different reasons to gratify certain needs. In essence, individuals choose to consume media
that will have a desired effect on them. This theory does rely on self reporting and is the
opposite of the "magic bullet" model. This theory also relates to parasocial relationships, or a
connection to someone that the viewer does not know, such as an actor or a TV character.
Speech Codes Theory - Correct Answer- Each community has multiple speech codes which
reveal information about the culture. We can learn how a community feels about: itself, its
relationships, its speaking, and its values. Speech codes detail the rules for communication in
a system, so it is not detailing dialects or accents. Speech codes are more than rules, but a
system that a group of people have constructed and agreed upon, different from that of other
groups. There are implicit rules for what is acceptable in relation to speech. Different cultures
can include households, classrooms, or any other environment.
Interactional View - Correct Answer- Another systems theory (like functionalism) that states
a family is a system, where a change in any component or family member affects the entire
system; also known as "pragmatics". It is easier to analyze dysfunctional families. Families
are self-regulating and everyone has different roles (such as the enabler, denier, hero, etc.) in
a game of sorts that is played through communication even though it isn't discussed. Instead,
there are four axioms that are greater than spoken communication:
-1) One cannot not communicate because all behavior is communication; an example is the
silent treatment.
-2) All messages have a content level (literal meaning of words) and relational level (what the
words on the content level suggests about us and the relationship) of meaning, which is how
relationships are negotiated.
--The three forms of this are: 1) See me as...; 2) I see you as...; and 3) We have the kind of
relationship where...
--These bids can be: 1) confirm accepted (yes/no); 2) confirm rejected ("why are you asking
me that?"), or; 3) disconfirmed (change in the subject or deferral).
-3) The nature of the relationships depends on how the communication sequence is
punctuated, or how behavior is understood.
-4) All communication is symmetrical (both people trying to one-up each other/be dominant),
complementary (one person is dominant and one person is submissive), and transitory
(unclear).
