Midterms Study Guide

Question 1

Definitions and meanings of culture

Answer 1

Culture is defined as traditions, customs, norms, beliefs, values, and thought patterns that are passed down from generation to generation
Culture refers to values and norms-> Values- stable over time and are deep-seated. Norms- social rules and guidelines, Mores: things central to the smooth operation of society, and Folkways: which are routine patterns

Question 2

Four categories of culture

Answer 2

Symbols, Rituals, Values, Heroes

Question 3

What are Symbols (4 categories of Culture)

Answer 3

verbal and nonverbal languages

Question 4

What are Rituals (4 categories of Culture)

Answer 4

socially essential collective activities within a culture

Question 5

What are Values (4 categories of Culture)

Answer 5

feelings that are not open for discussion within a culture about what is good or bad, beautiful or ugly etc. present in the majority of the members of culture.

Question 6

What are Heroes (4 categories of Culture)

Answer 6

The real or imaginary people who serve as behavior models within a culture. A culture’s heroes are expressed in the culture’s myths, which can be the subject of novels and other forms of literature

Question 7

Superstitions in different countries

Answer 7

A part of cultural customs is labeled as superstitions. Korean example: don’t eat seaweed soup the day before an exam, don’t get married at an age when you are 9 (29,39,etc) , don’t take a shower before an exam etc.

Question 8

Co-culture vs. subculture

Answer 8

SUBCULTURE = a culture existing within the dominant culture. Often based on economic and social class, ethnicity, race… it is a subdivision of something, a subdivision is a part of, but no less important
CO-CULTURE = groups or social communities which exhibit communication characteristics, perception, values, beliefs, and practices that are sufficiently different to distinguish them from other groups, communities, and the dominant culture. EX: Seoul and busan cultures coexist. However, both the seoul and busan cultures are under the umbrella of Korean culture

Question 9

High vs. low context cultures

Answer 9

LOW CONTEXT = is that you mean what you say, verbal abilities are highly valued, and straightforward. The US is a low-context culture
HIGH CONTEXT = is when you have to interpret, less has to be said or written, you need to read the cues and body language to interpret what the actual meaning is. There are hidden meanings (China, Japan, Korea, Greece, Turkey)

Question 10

Individualism vs. collectivism

Answer 10

Individualism = the individual is more important than the group, ties between individuals are loose, and people look after themselves and their immediate families
Collectivism = the needs of the group are the most important. Groups are taken into account in a major way when goals are set, tightly integrated, stress interdependent activities, and suppress individual aims

Question 11

Cultural Dimensions

Answer 11

1. Individualism and collectivism
2. ‘masculinity and feminism
3. Power Distance
4. Uncertainty avoidance

Question 12

Definition of convergence

Answer 12

Common use of digital technologies in the production, storage, and distribution of information. The convergence of media technology is propelling changes in the media industry as newer media companies such as Google, Apple, and Facebook compete with old media companies
Things tend to become more similar over time

Question 13

Media characteristics in different societies in history

Answer 13

Media is changing all of the time, there is narrowcasting (channels that are tailored to specific interests ex: ESPN vs broadcasting. Converging technologies break down conventional distinctions between channels of communication so that we can select between modes of presentation
Changing media through history (preagricultural society, agricultural society, industrial society, information society)

Question 14

Technological determinism

Answer 14

Media technologies have strong effects on audience attitudes, beliefs, and values. The assumption of a passive audience, modern technology is becoming an unstoppable force that could affect society. Technology is the driver of social change

Question 15

Social construction of technology

Answer 15

Social shaping of technology- I think social is more important than technological
Tech is one aspect, social changes are a complex, multi-faceted process, and it is a more human-centered society approach
Theoretical framework: that argues technology is not a neutral force but is shaped by social factors and human actions

Question 16

Four functions of mass media

Answer 16

1. Surveillance -> media is gaining us new information, what is going on in our society?
2. interpretation -> what does the information mean? Explaining similar events to society differently.
3. value transmission/ socialization -> the media plays the roles of storytellers, teachers, and even parents,
4. entertainment

Question 17

Economies of scale

Answer 17

The bigger the better-> this occurs when unit costs go down as production quantities increase. In media products, the cost of the first copy is high but the incremental or marginal cost is very low after the first copy is made. In the media industry, the barrier to entry is typically high and there is an incentive to maximize the market-> Global expansion

Question 18

Types of market structure and examples in the media industries

Answer 18

1. Monopoly
2. duopoly
3. oligopoly
4. Monopolistic competition
5. Perfect competition

Question 19

What is the meaning of yellow journalism

Answer 19

Yellow journalism is based upon sensationalization and crude exaggeration of events

Question 20

Must-carry rules in broadcasting

Answer 20

In any type of service, there must be a must-carry type of service. You have to carry broadcasting networks, this is why wherever you go, you will be able to see broadcasting networks on TV

Question 21

Issue of spectrum policy

Answer 21

ensuring sufficient access for diverse users, promoting innovation and economic growth, and maintaining spectrum availability for critical services like emergency communications.
Telephone companies built antennas in the air, so there is no issue with using cell services in Korea…

Question 22

Packet switching

Answer 22

When you send a letter through the mail, you are getting the whole form. When you send an email, there are multiple packets, so the media (email) is being split into different packets and taking different routes to get to the same location. This process happens in seconds/min. If there is a delay, then that usually means one of the packets is delayed or the route is broken-> (if someone does not receive an email)

Question 23

The role of router

Answer 23

A router is a computer that keeps tracks of addresses and traffic-> it is an amplifier of signal strength (there will be a router on the path/ at a stop/ of the path of the packets) an example Is if you are taking a train from Seoul to Busan, you need to press the gas to get there, so if on the route to the final destination, in each country/ place there is a router to press the gas /make the signal stronger to make sure the packets get to its final destination

Question 24

Pros and cons regarding net neutrality

Answer 24

Net Neutrality = the network should be equal, no one gets benefits from the government. A broadband network should be free of restrictions on the kinds of equipment that can be attached -> treat all content, sites, and platforms equally

Question 25

The common characteristics of social media

Answer 25

Technology social interaction sharing of information (ideas, approaches, etc.)

Question 26

Bonding social capital vs. bridging social capital (strong ties vs. weak ties)

Answer 26

There are 3 types of capital: Financial: money Cultural: your ability to enjoy cultural products and services (classical music/art) Social: social connections/ connectedness BONDING-> bring together, strongly tied human relationships {strong ties- family, and close friends} BRIDGING -> connecting, acquaintances, strangers that are connected through social media (weak ties) {weak ties- friends of friends}

Question 27

Glocalization

Answer 27

Local products done with global forms and ideas-> a global thing/chain made local this is a combo of globalization and localization (example: google is a global company service but the services, art etc vary and differ between the countries they operate in. They tailor their products and services to the different countries and markets in which they operate) McDonald's adapting its menu in different countries to suit local tastes and dietary preferences.

Question 28

Globalization theory vs. political economy theory

Answer 28

Globalization theory= examining the increasing interconnectedness and indepedance of economy’s societies etc. across borders- the weakening of the government power as a meaningful unit in the global economy and culture of today's borderless world -> attempt to explain the increasing interconnectedness of the world's economies, cultures, and societies Political Economy theory= politics influencing the economy - the national government and domestic. Media have continued to play a role in national culture -> there is globalization but national government/policy/media is still important-> explores the relationship between political institutions, power structures, and economic systems, examining how they influence each other

Question 29

Cultural proximity

Answer 29

The degree for cultural products is as similar as possible to one's own language, culture, history and values -> lots of people around the world respond well to media that everyone can relate to, particularly those whose emphasis is on action, sex, and violence. Hollywood movies are very universal so they can be adapted in most countries- Korean media (Squid Games and Parasite) are both focused on violence, family/ human ties, and money which are all universal ties that everyone worldwide can relate or find interest in.

Question 30

Cultural discount

Answer 30

the reduced value or reception of a cultural product (like a film, TV show, or book) in a foreign market due to cultural differences and unfamiliarity. Language is a strong natural barrier just because there are subtitles does not mean that you can fully understand the language= example: Stacy watched a Japanese anime and one of the characters was very depressed,since she knows the language she knew that they kept using worlds or Japanese sayings (a way of talking) that implied it was the last time they would talk with a character… they used a more lonely, depressed way of saying things that you would only know if you know the language and cultural context.

Question 31

Cultural imperialism & media imperialism

Answer 31

Cultural imperialism = the unequal flows of film, TV, media, and information from the US and Europe to other countries. -> {dominant in the early 20th century. When some countries governed other countries (imperialism) } {cultural imperialism = culturally, one country may govern other countries. This is broader than Media imperialism Media Imperialism = Culture includes media and others as well, it's broader than media imperialism. -> similar to cultural imperialism, except this only includes media and forms of media. Whereas culture includes news and information

Question 32

The role of MPAA

Answer 32

MPAA= Motion Pictures Association of America This is an interest group. Lobbying group in the US. They tried to exercise their power outside of the US. They are saying other countries need to buy their movies (cultural imperialism)

Question 33

The reasons for the popularity of Korean dramas

Answer 33

Reflexive Modernity -> Kdramas deliver materialistic, sophisticated, tech-and-youth orientated modernities. K-dramas demonstrate a model of modernity for many “developing neighbors". Family -> its dramatization of “Asian sensibilities” including family values and traditional emotive delicacies, it offers a nostalgic reminder of what has been lost during modernization Decentralizing Flow-> Thousands of foreign invasions Korea has had to suffer and endless conflicts (north and South Korea) - has been a good motivation for Korean media products (crash landing on you). The deeply felt sense of oppression and deep seated grief of Koreans and become fundamental or a source for “emotional powerfulness” {There are 2 types: romance and Historical dramas- they include soap operas, fictional mini series, and historical dramas. Some of the most popular drama had the most universal concepts -violence, money etc. the core values of the shows had cultural proximity making them relevant worldwide }

Question 34

Monopolistic competition

Answer 34

a market structure characterized by numerous firms selling differentiated products, where each firm has some control over its price due to product differentiation, but faces competition from similar products offered by other firms fast food industry.

Question 35

Perfect competition

Answer 35

numerous small firms sell identical products, and no single firm can influence the market price. farmers' market selling agricultural products like fruits and vegetables.

Question 36

monopoly

Answer 36

a market structure where a single seller controls the supply of a product or service with no close substitutes, giving them significant power over pricing and competition public utilities, such as water and electricity

Question 37

duopoly

Answer 37

a situation in which two suppliers dominate the market for a commodity or service. Coca-Cola and Pepsi (soft drinks), Boeing and Airbus (aircraft manufacturing), and Visa and Mastercard (payment processing)

Question 38

oligopoly

Answer 38

a state of limited competition, in which a market is shared by a small number of producers or sellers. the U.S. airline industry, where a few major airlines dominate the market, such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.