Question 1

During the 1980s, Modernization theory came under heavy fire with critics claiming that it had failed to produce positive economic results in the Third World.

Accepted Answer

Modernization theory, which posited that developing countries would naturally evolve economically and socially by following the model of Western societies, faced significant criticism in the 1980s for not delivering the promised economic growth and development in Third World countries. Critics argued that it oversimplified development processes and neglected the complex realities of these countries, including the impacts of colonialism, global economic structures, and local cultural factors.

Question 2

Development journalism and communication are attempts to complement the thrust toward electronic colonialism.

Accepted Answer

Development journalism and communication focus on addressing and supporting the needs and challenges of developing nations, aiming to promote social development and empowerment rather than complementing electronic colonialism, which refers to the domination or control over digital spaces and media by more technologically advanced countries.

Question 3

Television programming and feature films are almost exclusively produced by Western nations.

Accepted Answer

Television programming and feature films are produced by nations all over the world, not just Western nations.

Question 4

After World War II, it was assumed that as the gross national product increased, so too would the development of communication in peripheral and semiperipheral nations.

Accepted Answer

This assumption was based on the modernization theory, which posited that economic growth would lead to technological advancements and improvements in communication infrastructure, thus fostering development in peripheral and semiperipheral nations.

Question 5

Western development and modernization projects realized immediately that successful and effective use of communication requires specific knowledge of the availability, accessibility, relationships, and utilization of communication infrastructure and software in communities.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Western development and modernization projects realized immediately...

Question 6

With the introduction of modernization, illiteracy on a global scale decreased dramatically.

Accepted Answer

The answer of With the introduction of modernization, illiteracy on...

Question 7

Proponents of development journalism tend to be from core nations.

Accepted Answer

Development journalism primarily emerges from and focuses on the Global South or developing countries, aiming to address their specific issues, challenges, and perspectives, rather than from core or developed nations.

Question 8

The economic growth model assumes development to be irreversible, like biological evolution.

Accepted Answer

The economic growth model assumes that development is irreversible, meaning that once a country has achieved a certain level of economic development, it will not regress to a lower level. This is similar to the concept of biological evolution, where species are thought to evolve in a linear fashion, with no possibility of reverting to a previous state.

Question 9

Functionalism attempts to relate communication to the social, ideological, political, cultural, and economic systems in which it operates.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Functionalism attempts to relate communication to the...

Question 10

The establishment of ground rules by exporting corporations in such a way that the peripheral nations are at a structural disadvantage from the start is a crucial process within world systems theory.

Accepted Answer

World systems theory posits that the global economic system is divided into core, semi-peripheral, and peripheral nations, where core nations often establish economic and political rules that put peripheral nations at a structural disadvantage, perpetuating inequality and dependency.

Question 11

Robert Stevenson stated that "Development journalism - very much a part of the New World Information Order debate at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the 1970s - now has a record, and it is not impressive."

Accepted Answer

Robert Stevenson critiqued development journalism as part of the NWIO debate at UNESCO in the 1970s, suggesting its outcomes were not impressive.

Question 12

The introduction of modern technology to LDCs fosters a neocolonial-like dependence on organizations from core nations.

Accepted Answer

The introduction of modern technology in Less Developed Countries (LDCs) can foster a neocolonial-like dependence because these countries often rely on core nations for the technology, expertise, and maintenance, which can lead to a form of economic and technological dependency similar to colonial relationships.

Question 13

US students of communication have sought a conceptual inventory that would provide a complete basis for explaining communication in the context of an overall social system.

Accepted Answer

The answer of US students of communication have sought a...

Question 14

Most theoretical models of development look equally at internal sources of problems in LDCs and external agencies or practices.

Accepted Answer

Most theoretical models of development tend to emphasize either internal sources of problems in Less Developed Countries (LDCs), such as governance issues, economic policies, and social structures, or external factors, including international trade policies, global market dynamics, and historical colonization impacts, rather than looking equally at both.

Question 15

The exactness, the neutrality and the objectivity of the US behavior science tradition and communication research are the foundations for forming a macro-theoretical model in regards to power, social interaction, patterns of social organization and the influences of communication on ideological and value systems.

Accepted Answer

The US behavior science tradition and communication research, while influential, have been critiqued for not always being exact, neutral, or objective. These fields, like others, are influenced by cultural, social, and political contexts, which can affect theories and models related to power, social interaction, and communication. The development of macro-theoretical models in these areas often involves debates and considerations of various perspectives, not a singular foundation of exactness, neutrality, and objectivity.

Question 16

Work by communication scholars such as Schiller and Rogers has had a significant impact on aid agencies, foundations and government organizations responsible for implementing development policies.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Work by communication scholars such as Schiller...

Question 17

The World Bank is attempting to reposition itself as an institution that understands and fosters the central role of information, knowledge, and communication.

Accepted Answer

The World Bank has indeed been making efforts to reposition itself as an institution that emphasizes the importance of information, knowledge, and communication in development, recognizing these elements as crucial for sustainable development and poverty reduction.

Question 18

Participatory communication seeks to be a top-down process.

Accepted Answer

Participatory communication emphasizes a bottom-up approach, engaging stakeholders and community members in the communication process to ensure their voices and perspectives are included.

Question 19

Ilan Kapoor argues that participatory development (PD) communication is an efficient inclusionary model.

Accepted Answer

Ilan Kapoor critiques participatory development (PD) for not adequately addressing power imbalances and often being co-opted by neoliberal agendas, rather than endorsing it as an efficient inclusionary model.

Question 20

Convergence is dramatically changing the commercial environments, the older communication divisions and distinctions, and the strategies of regulators in regards to international communication.

Accepted Answer

Convergence, through the integration of technologies, services, and content, is indeed reshaping commercial environments, blurring traditional communication boundaries, and challenging regulators to adapt their strategies to effectively oversee a rapidly evolving international communication landscape.

Quiz 2: Development Research Traditions and Global Communication