Cultivation Theory Flashcards
(21 cards)
According to cultivation theory, heavy TV viewers are more likely to:
A) Adopt counter-cultural values
B) Have a realistic view of the world
C) Perceive the world as more dangerous than it is
D) Reject mainstream media entirely
Perceive the world as more dangerous than it is
Alex has been binge-watching crime dramas for months. Lately, he’s started to feel more anxious when walking alone at night, even though his neighborhood has low crime rates. He also believes most people are untrustworthy. Which cultivation concept best explains Alex’s perception?
Mean World Syndrome
What is the central claim of cultivation theory?
A) Media directly change individual behavior overnight
B) Media shape perceptions of reality through long-term exposure
C) Media influence only children and adolescents
D) Media reduce fear by providing information
Media shape perceptions of
reality through long-term exposure
Cultivation Theory was developed by:
A) George Gerbner
B) Albert Bandura
C) Maxwell McCombs
D) Everett Rogers
George Gerbner
The Cultural Indicators Project was created to:
A) Measure the speed of news cycles
B) Track how television content might shape audience perceptions over time
C) Analyze audience recall of brand messaging
D) Test the effectiveness of reality television
Track how television content might shape audience perceptions over time
In Cultivation Theory, violence is defined as:
A) Any act that causes emotional pain
B) Physical aggression with graphic visuals
C) Overt physical force with clear intent to harm
D) Threats and insults within romantic relationships
Overt physical force with clear intent to harm
The Violence Index refers to:
A) The level of crime in a local community
B) A rating system used for children’s shows
C) A quantitative measure of violent acts on TV
D) The average number of real-life crimes per year
A quantitative measure of violent acts on TV
The ice age analogy suggests:
A) TV causes sudden, extreme social shifts
B) The effects of TV are small but accumulate gradually over time
C) TV will eventually become obsolete like dinosaurs
D) Cultivation is frozen in time and doesn’t evolve
The effects of TV are small but accumulate gradually over time
TRUE or FALSE:
Cultivation Theory assumes that TV is a dominant source of socialization in society.
True
TRUE or FALSE:
Heavy viewers are less likely than light viewers to adopt the “TV answer” about the world.
False
heavy viewers are more likely to adopt the TV answer
TRUE or FALSE:
Resonance occurs when real-world experiences align with television content.
True
TRUE or FALSE:
Mainstreaming refers to the idea that television pulls different groups toward a shared set of beliefs.
True
TRUE or FALSE:
The Proportional Representation of Diversity Index (PRDI) evaluates whether groups are represented in media according to their actual population sizes.
True
Define Cultivation Differential and explain its relevance to media research.
The difference in beliefs or perceptions between heavy and light TV viewers.
For example, heavy viewers may overestimate crime rates compared to light viewers.
How does Symbolic Double Jeopardy affect marginalized groups on television?
Marginalized groups are both underrepresented and when shown, more likely to be portrayed as victims or criminals
Latinos or Black characters shown less often, but more often in negative roles.
What is the Mean World Syndrome, and how is it measured?
The belief that the world is more dangerous and violent than it really is, especially common among heavy TV viewers.
Measured through surveys on trust, fear, and perceived crime
Explain the concepts of mainstreaming and resonance with examples.
Mainstreaming: Viewers from different backgrounds adopt similar beliefs due to repeated TV exposure
Resonance: When a viewer’s real-life experience matches TV content, intensifying the cultivation effect.
- rural and urban viewers both believing crime is rampant.
- someone living in a high-crime area feels even more afraid after watching crime-heavy TV.
Differentiate between heavy and light TV viewers in cultivation research.
Heavy viewers: Watch 4+ hours/day; more influenced by TV messages; more likely to adopt the TV reality.
Light viewers: Watch <2 hours/day; less likely to be influenced or exhibit cultivation effects.
What are first-order effects
Beliefs about factual aspects of reality
(e.g., how common crime is)
What are Second-order effects
Second-order effects: Beliefs about values and norms
(e.g., what is dangerous, who to trust).
What are Third-Order effects
Third-order effects: Behaviors based on cultivated perceptions
(e.g., voting for “tough on crime” candidates, avoiding public spaces)
