Media Studies – Possible Essay Questions and Scenarios
1. ‘It is really impossible to study media effects scientifically?’ Agree or disagree?
2. What does the concept of ideology mean within the field of Cultural Studies, and how does
this concept contribute to our understanding of media audiences?
3. Critically examine the differences between the ‘hypodermic syringe’ approach to audience
research and the ‘two step flow’ approach.
4. Has Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding model of audience reception led to ‘cultural populism’?
5. How can the long-term effects and influences on media audiences be best studied? Discuss
with reference to research.
6. “Violence in the media has a direct impact on the levels of violence in society.” Discuss with
reference to published research.
7. Identify the main strengths and weaknesses of Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding model.
, How does mass media affect our perception of reality?
The mass media affect our perception of reality because, in a very real sense, they create our reality.
For most of us, much of the rest of the world exists only through the mass media.
• Messages have their own intention and are sent to get desired outcomes.
• The effect of messages is supposed to be encompassing, strong, immediate and dangerous.
Retrieved from: https://www.businesstopia.net/mass-communication/hypodermic-needle-theory-
communication . Accessed on 23 July 2020.
What do the Media Do for US?
1. Entertaining and providing an outlet for the imagination
2. Educating and informing
3. Serving as a public forum for the discussion of important issues (Public Sphere)
4. Act as a watchdog for government, business, and other institutions
Retrieved from: https://www2.palomar.edu/users/lpayn/115/GC115-Understanding-Media-and-Culture-An
to-Mass-Communication.pdf Accessed on: 22 July 2020.
1. ‘It is really impossible to study media effects scientifically?’ Agree or disagree?
2. What does the concept of ideology mean within the field of Cultural Studies, and how does
this concept contribute to our understanding of media audiences?
3. Critically examine the differences between the ‘hypodermic syringe’ approach to audience
research and the ‘two step flow’ approach.
4. Has Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding model of audience reception led to ‘cultural populism’?
5. How can the long-term effects and influences on media audiences be best studied? Discuss
with reference to research.
6. “Violence in the media has a direct impact on the levels of violence in society.” Discuss with
reference to published research.
7. Identify the main strengths and weaknesses of Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding model.
, How does mass media affect our perception of reality?
The mass media affect our perception of reality because, in a very real sense, they create our reality.
For most of us, much of the rest of the world exists only through the mass media.
• Messages have their own intention and are sent to get desired outcomes.
• The effect of messages is supposed to be encompassing, strong, immediate and dangerous.
Retrieved from: https://www.businesstopia.net/mass-communication/hypodermic-needle-theory-
communication . Accessed on 23 July 2020.
What do the Media Do for US?
1. Entertaining and providing an outlet for the imagination
2. Educating and informing
3. Serving as a public forum for the discussion of important issues (Public Sphere)
4. Act as a watchdog for government, business, and other institutions
Retrieved from: https://www2.palomar.edu/users/lpayn/115/GC115-Understanding-Media-and-Culture-An
to-Mass-Communication.pdf Accessed on: 22 July 2020.
