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1
Q

What does Laswell’s formula (1948) address?

A

Who says What through Which channels to Whom with What effect

It serves as a foundational framework in communication science.

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2
Q

Define the Hypodermic Needle Theory.

A

Suggests media has a powerful, direct, and immediate effect on audiences

It portrays audiences as passive recipients of media messages.

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3
Q

What is the core idea of the Minimal Effects Theory?

A

Media influence is limited and tends to reinforce existing beliefs

Developed in the 1940s and 1950s by scholars like Paul Lazarsfeld.

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4
Q

What does Agenda-Setting Theory propose?

A

Media influences what people think about, not what they think

Developed by Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw in the 1970s.

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5
Q

What is the difference between first-level and second-level agenda setting?

A

First-level: focuses on specific issues; Second-level: influences how to think about those issues

Substantive and evaluative attributes are key in second-level agenda setting.

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6
Q

What is the issue-arena theory?

A

Places of interaction where issues are discussed by stakeholders

It broadens the role of corporate communications and PR beyond traditional management.

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7
Q

Define Mediatization.

A

Process by which corporations adapt to and integrate media logics into operations

Recognizes the central role of media in shaping corporate activities.

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8
Q

What is meant by Social License to Operate (SLO)?

A

Corporations must meet societal expectations and avoid unacceptable activities

Considered a form of ‘soft’ regulation.

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9
Q

What does Political CSR emphasize?

A

Need for democratic governance of business conduct through public deliberation

Expects multinational enterprises to contribute to self-regulation.

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10
Q

List two ways to look at corporations.

A
  • Economic actor
  • Social actor

This perspective highlights their multiple responsibilities.

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11
Q

What is the significance of Orders of Worth?

A

Normative principles used by actors to justify their actions in public controversies

Related to justification theory by Boltanski and Thévenot.

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12
Q

Differentiate between diagnostic and prognostic framing.

A
  • Diagnostic: identifies problems and causes
  • Prognostic: proposes solutions and actions

These frames help in defining issues and mobilizing support.

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13
Q

What are social movement strategies?

A
  • Lobbying
  • Street protests
  • Advertising
  • Disruption
  • Legal actions

These strategies aim to influence corporate behavior.

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14
Q

What is Hype Theory?

A

Focuses on how sensationalized claims can shape public perception

It explores the impact of media and advertising on societal standards.

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15
Q

Define Connective Action/Hashtag activism

A

Activism primarily through social media, relying on digital networks

It differs from traditional collective action that requires physical participation.

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16
Q

What is Greenwashing?

A

Misleading claims about environmental practices to appear more sustainable

It can negatively affect corporate reputation and credibility.

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17
Q

What is the Backfire Effect?

A

When attempts to correct misinformation lead to strengthening false beliefs

It illustrates the complexities of communication and persuasion.

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18
Q

Fill in the blank: The Urgenda case was more successful than the Milieudefensie case due to _______.

A

Broad public support

The focus on civic/moral aspects played a significant role.

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19
Q

What are Echo Chambers?

A

Environments where individuals are exposed only to information that reinforces their existing beliefs

They contribute to polarization in public discourse.

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20
Q

What is the role of journalists in communicating sustainability?

A

To inform the public and shape discourse around sustainability issues

They act as key intermediaries between information and public understanding.

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21
Q

What is the nature of hashtag activism?

A

Decentralized in nature and does not require a central organization or physical gathering point

Individuals can use hashtags to publicly align themselves with a cause without needing to formally join an organization or attend a physical protest.

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22
Q

How does connective action differ from collective action?

A

Connective action allows individuals to engage in activism personally and digitally, unlike collective action which involves large groups in the same physical space

In hashtag activism, people can show support through hashtags, sharing posts, or commenting.

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23
Q

What role do hashtags play in activism?

A

They serve as a tool for self-expression and mobilization, allowing individuals to align with causes and engage in discussions

This reflects how connective action enables people to create their own narratives around issues.

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24
Q

What is meant by flexible and fluid participation in hashtag activism?

A

Participation is flexible because it allows engagement on personal time and in various ways, such as posts and retweets

This fluidity contrasts with the more structured nature of offline collective action.

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25
What does strategic communication encompass?
All communication that is substantial for the survival and sustained success of an entity, using purposeful communication to engage in strategic conversations ## Footnote Entities include corporations, governments, nonprofits, social movements, and individuals in the public sphere.
26
What is corporate social advocacy (CSA)?
A strategy that involves organizations engaging in political advocacy to support social issues ## Footnote This includes raising awareness, influencing policy making, and influencing public opinion.
27
How does greenwashing affect corporate reputation?
It negatively impacts reputation by creating a perceived discrepancy between environmental claims and actual practices ## Footnote Stakeholders view greenwashing as dishonest, leading to skepticism and loss of trust.
28
What is a greenfluencer?
Content creators who promote a sustainable lifestyle and eco-consciousness to their followers ## Footnote They often advocate for specific green behaviors and mobilize for activism.
29
What are the characteristics of Fridays for Future (FFF)?
Mobilization of first-time protesters, generational and inclusive framing, return to state focus, massive scale and coordination, nontraditional leadership ## Footnote FFF successfully put climate action at the forefront of political and social discussions.
30
What are the types of greenwashers?
Evil greeners (intentional false claims) and unintentional greenwashers (victims of false claims) ## Footnote The falsely accused refer to organizations that are wrongly labeled as greenwashing.
31
What is the main argument of the paper on greenwashing?
Greenwashing creates a perceived discrepancy that leads to violations of stakeholder expectations, harming corporate reputation and credibility ## Footnote Even minor inconsistencies can trigger negative assessments from stakeholders.
32
What is inoculation in social psychology?
A framework explaining how people resist persuasion and maintain beliefs when exposed to opposing viewpoints ## Footnote It triggers cognitive processes that make beliefs more resilient.
33
What are some key factors that make false information feel true?
Familiarity, social consensus, and repetition ## Footnote These factors increase the likelihood of false information being accepted as true.
34
What is the difference between objective truth and subjective truth?
Objective truth is universally accepted and verified by evidence, while subjective truth is based on personal beliefs with some evidence ## Footnote This distinction highlights the challenges in confronting misinformation.
35
What is post-truth malaise?
A societal condition characterized by skepticism toward factual information, reliance on emotions or personal beliefs over objective evidence, and distrust of authoritative sources ## Footnote Associated with misinformation, disinformation, and confirmation bias.
36
Define echo chambers.
Environments where individuals are exposed predominantly to information that reinforces their existing beliefs, limiting critical engagement with diverse perspectives ## Footnote Exacerbates the divide between factual discourse and personal narratives.
37
What are filter bubbles?
Content curated by algorithms based on users' past behaviors and preferences, isolating individuals from conflicting viewpoints ## Footnote Reinforces existing biases and limits access to alternative sources of information.
38
What does hyperconnectivity refer to?
The rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation in modern communication, often called 'digital wildfires' ## Footnote False narratives can go viral faster than corrective information.
39
What is deindividualization in the context of online interactions?
The anonymity that facilitates toxic behaviors like trolling, disrupting constructive discussions and spreading emotional or false content ## Footnote Contributes to the breakdown of trust in digital communication.
40
Fill in the blank: The information deficit model suggests that people hold erroneous views because they lack _______.
information.
41
Describe the backfire effect.
When beliefs become stronger when challenged by contradicting evidence ## Footnote Individuals may become more convinced of their beliefs despite evidence.
42
List the three types of backfire effects.
* Familiarity backfire effect * Overkill backfire effect * Worldview backfire effect
43
What are the two thought systems according to the analytical vs intuitive framework?
* System I: Fast – Intuitive * System II: Slow – Analytic
44
What is inoculation theory?
A social psychological framework explaining how individuals can resist persuasion and maintain beliefs when exposed to opposing viewpoints ## Footnote Draws an analogy to medical inoculation.
45
What is agenda-setting theory?
A theory explaining how media influence public perception by determining the importance of topics, suggesting media prioritizes certain issues ## Footnote Developed in the 1970s.
46
True or False: Minimal effects theory suggests that media influence is powerful and direct.
False.
47
What is stakeholder theory?
A framework that analyzes the relationships between a company and various groups with an interest in its activities, emphasizing the importance of all stakeholders ## Footnote Not just shareholders.
48
Define neo-institutional theory.
Explains how organizations are influenced by the institutional environment, considering social, cultural, and political norms in decision-making ## Footnote Organizations may conform to societal expectations even if it is not economically rational.
49
What is institutional isomorphism?
The process by which organizations become more similar over time due to coercive, mimetic, or normative pressures ## Footnote Central idea of neo-institutional theory.
50
What are the core elements of inoculation theory?
* A warning of impending challenges to a held position * Refutational pre-emption (prebunking) of possible challenges
51
What is the focus of cultivation theory?
Examines the long-term effects of media exposure on individuals’ perception of reality, particularly in terms of violence, stereotypes, and social norms ## Footnote Developed in the 1960s.
52
Fill in the blank: The functionalist theory emphasizes the role of communication in maintaining _______.
social order.
53
What are the two types of drivers for change in the climate change context?
* Drivers for change * Drivers for priming
54
What is the purpose of the hidden misinformation concept?
Sustainability claims that appear factual but lack evidence, leading to misguided consumer trust.
55
What does the term 'parasocial relationship' refer to?
A one-sided emotional bond developed with a media figure, characterized by an illusion of intimacy and emotional investment ## Footnote The public figure is often unaware of this relationship.
56
What is the aim of public relations practitioners?
To help PR practitioners ## Footnote This applies to the other three models as well.
57
What does normative theory refer to?
A set of principles that describe how media should operate rather than how it actually operates ## Footnote Focuses on values such as democracy, fairness, responsibility, and public service.
58
What is the aim of normative theory?
To improve stakeholder relations and reputation
59
What are issue arenas?
Places of interaction where an issue is discussed by stakeholders and organizations ## Footnote Involves both online and traditional media.
60
What does issue-arena theory emphasize?
The importance of finding relevant issue arenas for organizational participation in discussions
61
What is justification theory?
About how people justify their actions in societal contexts using different 'orders of worth' ## Footnote Focuses on legitimacy in specific situations.
62
What is hype theory?
A communication and media theory focusing on how sensationalized information can shape public perception ## Footnote Explores how media and advertising create a 'hype' around products and individuals.
63
What triggers media hypes?
A trigger event that lasts approximately three weeks and comes in several waves of decreasing intensity
64
What occurs when companies' actions fail to match their sustainability claims?
Trust is broken, leading to backlash
65
What does CSR stand for?
Corporate Social Responsibility
66
What are key points of CSR?
* Organizational practices contributing to societal goals * Focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability * Voluntary initiatives to improve reputation * Often integrated into business strategies
67
What does CSA stand for?
Corporate Social Advocacy
68
What characterizes CSA?
* Companies taking a public stance on social issues * Engages political stakeholders * Low issue-organization fit, high stakeholder conflict
69
What is strategic communication?
Purposeful communication aimed at achieving an organization’s goals ## Footnote Involves dialogue, messaging, and listening.
70
What is media influence and agenda-setting theory?
The ability of media to shape public priorities by determining what issues are discussed
71
What is the difference between first-level and second-level agenda setting?
* First-level: Influences what people think about * Second-level: Influences how people perceive issues
72
What is diagnostic framing?
Structuring information to define problems and propose solutions ## Footnote Identifies causes and consequences.
73
What is prognostic framing?
Structuring information to suggest solutions and responsible actors ## Footnote Influences public support and narratives.
74
What are orders of worth?
Normative principles that justify actions in public debates ## Footnote Includes civic, market, and moral orders.
75
What is greenwashing?
Misleading claims about environmental practices to appear eco-friendly
76
What are the impacts of greenwashing?
* Damages reputation and credibility * Can be intentional or unintentional
77
What is social license to operate (SLO)?
Informal societal approval of an organization’s operations ## Footnote Based on trust, transparency, and legitimacy.
78
What is a parasocial relationship?
One-sided emotional bonds formed with influencers ## Footnote Enhances engagement with sustainability topics.
79
What are climate justice movements?
Activist efforts emphasizing fairness in addressing climate change ## Footnote Focuses on intergenerational and geographic inequalities.
80
What role do traditional and social media play in sustainability?
Traditional media remains a critical agenda-setter; social media drives rapid issue escalation and engagement
81
What is the impact of social media hypes on sustainability policy?
Amplifies urgency and visibility of issues, driving policy changes through public pressure
82
What is corporate political advocacy (CPA)?
How media influences and shapes corporate strategies and public perception
83
What is the spiral of silence?
People are less likely to express opinions if they perceive them as minority views ## Footnote Media amplifies dominant narratives.
84
What is the difference between agenda-building and agenda-setting?
* Agenda-building: Focuses on how issues enter the media * Agenda-setting: Influences public priorities
85
What is the role of CEOs in corporate advocacy?
CEO participation in promoting social or environmental causes ## Footnote Enhances corporate credibility and reputation.
86
What are the risks associated with perceived greenwashing?
Erosion of consumer trust and credibility in sustainability claims
87
What did we learn from the Unilver case
- big issues, big players, lots of media attention - Struggle between interests - Involves strategic communication - The public gets involved too
88
justification theory
how people justify their actions in societal context. how different orders of worth explain wht their actions are legitimate or acceptable
89
legitimacy test
a test in public discourse when there are disagreements or conflicts, to test whether certain actions are legitimate
90
why the Urgenda case was more successful
- broad public support for(focus on civil/moral aspects) - focus on cause/solution stimulates opposition /dissents - a wider range of diagnostic frames (from multiple domains) thus addressing a wider range of actors
91
Define aspects of Connective Action/Hashtag activism
Decentralisation Personal participation Self-expression and Mobilisation flexible and fluid participation
92
what are rhetorics used to trigger social media hypes?
- metaphors - Hyperboles - Humor (sarcasm, irony)
93

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