Question 1

James and Andrew created an Internet application they called Shazam that will allow millions of people to download music for free without using a central server.What is this phenomenon indicative of?

Accepted Answer

The fact that James and Andrew created an internet application that allows millions of people to download music for free without using a central server is indicative of the democratization of the internet, as it provides people with access to music without needing to pay for it or rely on centralized platforms to do so. This suggests that the internet is becoming more accessible and user-friendly, allowing for peer-to-peer sharing and the dissemination of information without the need for intermediaries.

Question 2

The Renaissance was a scholarly and artistic revival that began in the United States around 1850 and subsequently spread to the rest of the Americas.

Accepted Answer

The Renaissance actually began in Europe in the 14th century and lasted until the 17th century. It was a period of intellectual and cultural rebirth, characterized by a renewed interest in classical texts, art, and architecture. While there were later revivals of Renaissance-style art and thought in the Americas, the true Renaissance occurred in Europe centuries earlier.

Question 3

When opinion leaders evaluate media messages,this is an example of step 1 in the two-step flow of communication.

Accepted Answer

In the two-step flow of communication, opinion leaders play a crucial role in the dissemination of information. They evaluate media messages and then pass on their interpretation to their followers or peers, who may be more likely to be influenced by their opinions than by the original message itself. This is considered step 1 in the two-step flow of communication.

Question 4

Ownership of the mass media has become more widely distributed over time.

Accepted Answer

Ownership of the mass media has actually become more concentrated in recent years, with a handful of large corporations controlling a significant portion of the global media market.

Question 5

Wanda lives in Canada and feels passionately that Canadian culture is in danger of being overwhelmed by American cultural values as imported via mass media.What is Wanda worried about?

Accepted Answer

Wanda is specifically concerned about American cultural values being imported via mass media, which is an example of media imperialism. Cultural diffusion and convergence may also play a role in this process, but Wanda's concern is specifically about the dominant influence of American media on Canadian culture. Media conglomeration refers to the consolidation of media ownership by a small number of large corporations, which could contribute to media imperialism but is not the primary concern here.

Question 6

Outline the changing characteristics of media ownership in Canada.

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

What two countries have been the most outspoken on the issue of American domination on the Internet?

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

According to functionalists,the mass media encourage conformity by devoting attention to crime,criminals,and deviance.

Accepted Answer

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Question 9

Canadians spend more time watching television,listening to the radio,going to the movies,reading newspapers and magazines,playing CDs,and using the Internet than they do sleeping,working,or going to school.

Accepted Answer

According to Statistics Canada, in 2010 the average Canadian spent 26.6 hours per week on leisure and media activities, which includes television, radio, movies, reading, and music. In contrast, Canadians spent on average 8.6 hours per day sleeping, and full-time workers spend an average of 7.8 hours per day working. Therefore, Canadians do spend more time on leisure and media activities than they do sleeping or working. School hours were not included in this study.

Question 10

What are mass media?

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

According to cultural studies experts,people are passive consumers of media.

Accepted Answer

Cultural studies experts argue that people are not passive consumers of media, but rather actively engage with and interpret media messages based on their own cultural, social, and individual backgrounds. This view emphasizes the role of audience agency and resistance in media consumption.

Question 12

Maria can now watch live television on her new android phone,as well as play music and film her friends.What is Maria engaging in with this technology?

Accepted Answer

Maria is engaging in media convergence, which refers to the merging of previously separated technology and media platforms, such as television, music, and film, into one device or platform, which is her android phone in this case.

Question 13

British sociologist Stuart Hall believes that people are not empty vessels into which the media pour a defined assortment of beliefs,values,and ideas.Rather,audience members take an active role in consuming the products of the mass media.

Accepted Answer

Stuart Hall's theory of encoding/decoding argues that audience members do not passively receive media messages, but actively interpret and make meaning from them based on their own experiences and cultural background.

Question 14

Jimmy now remotely programs his home PVR from work using a downloaded "app." What enables him to do this?

Accepted Answer

Media convergence refers to the merging of different forms of media technologies and platforms, allowing for increased flexibility and customization. In this case, the use of a downloadable app on a mobile device allows for Jimmy to remotely program his home PVR, illustrating the convergence of media platforms. Vertical integration pertains to the consolidation of different levels of the same industry under a single ownership or control, which is not evident in this scenario. Similarly, horizontal integration refers to the consolidation of similar companies within the same industry, which is not relevant in this context. Media concentration, on the other hand, refers to the ownership of multiple media outlets by a single entity, which is also not applicable in Jimmy's situation.

Question 15

How do mass media influence the way audiences think about the world?

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

According to functionalists,what are the four functions of the mass media?

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

Research on television representation points to little change in the way the mass media treats various minority groups.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that there have been significant changes and improvements in the representation of minority groups in mass media over the years, although challenges still remain.

Question 18

It is only when the mass media deal with news stories that touch on less central values that one may witness a diversity of media opinion.

Accepted Answer

When news stories involve core or central values, the mass media often present a unified stance or narrative. However, when it comes to topics that touch on more peripheral values or beliefs, there may be a range of opinions and perspectives presented by different media outlets.

Question 19

Explain the influence of the printing press.

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

Mainstream news sources and outlets always act like the "lap dogs" of the powerful because of media conglomeration.

Accepted Answer

While media conglomeration can lead to concerns about bias and influence from powerful entities, it is not accurate to say that mainstream news sources always act as "lap dogs" of the powerful. Many mainstream media outlets strive for journalistic integrity and balance, and there are instances where they critically report on the actions of powerful individuals and institutions.

Quiz 18: The Mass Media