Question 1

What makes a positive youth development program successful?

Accepted Answer

Each of the choices (A, B, and C) represent important elements of a successful positive youth development program. Participants should be challenged and placed in demanding roles, while also being expected to take responsibility for their behavior. Additionally, they should be helped to understand the consequences of not meeting their obligations. A successful program will incorporate all of these components.

Question 2

Research evaluating media messages about sex and drugs finds that:

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that repeated exposure to media messages about sex and drugs has an impact on adolescent attitudes and beliefs. While the messages may not always be accurate or positive, they can still shape the way young people view these topics.

Question 3

Why is it hard to know whether exposure to messages about drinking and smoking actually change adolescents' behaviors?

Accepted Answer

All of these statements are true. Adolescents are not passive receivers of media messages, but rather actively interpret and filter them through their preexisting beliefs and values. This makes it difficult to determine the direct impact of exposure to messages about drinking and smoking on their actual behaviors.

Question 4

Which theory of media's impact emphasizes the reciprocal link between adolescents' preferences and their media exposure and that adolescents not only choose what they are exposed to but interpret the media in ways that shape their impact?

Accepted Answer

The media practice model emphasizes the reciprocal link between an individual's preferences and their media exposure. It suggests that individuals actively select and interpret media in ways that reflect their pre-existing values and beliefs, therefore shaping the impact of the media on them. The uses and gratifications approach focuses on the individual's motivations for using media, while cultivation theory emphasizes the gradual and cumulative impact of media exposure on an individual's worldview. Routine activity theory explains the relationship between media exposure and the likelihood of engaging in deviant behavior.

Question 5

The average American adolescent sends _____ text messages a day.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The average American adolescent sends _____ text...

Question 6

Research investigating media "effects" on adolescent development has a hard time ruling out the possibility of spurious causation, which means that:

Accepted Answer

Spurious causation means that the correlation between two things is not actually causal, but is instead due to a third factor that is affecting both of them. Therefore, the best choice is D, which explains this concept accurately. Choices A, B, and C do not capture the phenomenon of spurious causation.

Question 7

The highest levels of media use are reported by:

Accepted Answer

Early adolescents often report the highest levels of media use due to their developmental stage and increased access to technology.

Question 8

Adolescents are least likely to seek out ________ websites on the Internet.

Accepted Answer

Adolescents are least likely to seek out pornography websites on the Internet due to various factors such as parental controls, personal interests, and societal norms that often discourage or limit access to such content for underage individuals.

Question 9

One tremendous problem in interpreting studies of media use and adolescent development is that:

Accepted Answer

The tremendous problem in interpreting studies of media use and adolescent development is that it is extremely difficult to disentangle cause and effect. This means that it is challenging to determine whether media usage causes certain developmental outcomes in adolescents or whether certain adolescent characteristics lead to certain media usage patterns.

Question 10

Drawing on research that shows that certain extracurricular activities benefit adolescents, and research showing the potential dangers of leaving adolescents unsupervised after school, some experts have argued that well-designed programs will not only deter problem behavior but also encourage youth to develop strengths. This emphasis on developing positive attributes is known as what?

Accepted Answer

The emphasis on developing positive attributes in adolescents is known as positive youth development (PYD). This approach focuses on promoting the healthy development and well-being of young people by building their strengths and abilities instead of simply addressing problem behaviors. PYD programs often include extracurricular activities and opportunities for youth to develop skills and interests in a supportive environment.

Question 11

Which theory of media's impact emphasizes the idea that media shape adolescents' interests, motives, and beliefs about the world?

Accepted Answer

Cultivation theory suggests that exposure to media over time shapes individuals' attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions about the world. This theory argues that media shapes adolescents' interests, motives, and beliefs about the world by presenting consistent and repetitive images and messages. The other options focus more on the individual's motivations and responses to media rather than how media shapes their beliefs and worldview.

Question 12

What have researchers found in regard to the research on exposure to violent imagery on TV?

Accepted Answer

Researchers have found that exposure to violent imagery on TV can lead to increased aggressive behavior, particularly among individuals with prior histories of aggression. This effect has been observed in both children and adults. Among 14-year-olds who watch more than 3 hours of TV per day, those with prior histories of aggression are particularly likely to engage in subsequent acts of aggression, regardless of gender. Therefore, all of the statements in the answer choices are true based on research findings.

Question 13

Which set of research findings was used in the Supreme Court case of Brown v. Entertainment Merchants (2010), which was a case that debated whether banning the sale of violent video games to minors was unconstitutional?

Accepted Answer

The research findings that were used in the Supreme Court case of Brown v. Entertainment Merchants were that careful studies have indicated that playing violent video games does not make adolescents more aggressive. This finding supported the argument that banning the sale of violent video games to minors was unconstitutional.

Question 14

According to the textbook, why might the estimated 8 hours a day of media use for adolescents be an understatement?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the textbook, why might the...

Question 15

Which of the following is not a common message that the media conveys about sex?

Accepted Answer

The media often portrays sex as fun, exciting, and a significant aspect of masculinity, and sometimes objectifies women in sexual contexts. However, it less frequently highlights the serious consequences of unprotected sex, as the focus is often on the sensational or appealing aspects of sex rather than its potential risks.

Question 16

What proportion of American households has at least one television?

Accepted Answer

The passage states that "Virtually all American households have at least one TV," making option A the correct choice.

Question 17

How has the digital divide changed over the last 50 years?

Accepted Answer

Over the past 50 years, access to the Internet and other digital technologies has significantly increased, making it more accessible to more people. This has led to a reduction in the digital divide, particularly as more public spaces, such as libraries and schools, offer computer and Internet access to the public. While there may be disparities in the quality or speed of Internet service, overall the trend has been towards greater accessibility and reduced digital inequality. The advent of smartphones has also contributed to greater connectivity and access, particularly for individuals who may not have access to traditional computers or broadband service.

Question 18

Which theory of media's impact emphasizes the fact that adolescents choose the media to which they are exposed?

Accepted Answer

The uses and gratifications approach emphasizes that individuals are active consumers of media, and they choose which media they want to consume based on their own needs and desires. Therefore, this theory best fits the description of adolescents choosing the media to which they are exposed.

Question 19

Alcohol and drugs are present in about ______% of prime time network programs, movies, and music videos.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Alcohol and drugs are present in about...

Question 20

The three dominant theories concerning the media's impact on adolescent development today include all but which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The three dominant theories concerning the media's impact on adolescent development are the media practice model, uses and gratifications approach, and cultivation theory. The routine activity theory is not one of the dominant theories in this area.

Quiz 7: Work, Leisure, and Media