Mass Communication & Media Theory Mastery Exam Pack: Communication
Definition, Social Interaction Through Messages, Mass Media vs Mass
Communication, Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Group & Mass Communication
Types, Mass Communication Functions (Inform, Entertain, Persuade), Channels
& Media (Paper, Electronic, Chemical), Mediated Communication, One-Way
Communication, Feedback Limitations, Bandwidth, Transmission Model (Source,
Message, Channel, Receiver, Encoding, Decoding), Fidelity & Shared Meaning,
Noise Types (Environmental, Psychological, Physical, Semantic, Cultural),
Framing & Priming, Agenda Setting, Media Effects, Cultural Imperialism, Global
Media Systems, McLuhan Theory (“Medium is the Message”, Global Village),
Media Ecology, Short Head vs Long Tail Economics, Media Oligopoly, Synergy,
Brow Continuum (High, Middle, Low Culture), Models of Mass Communication
(Transmission, Ritual, Publicity, Reception), Audience Interpretation & Meaning
Construction, Four Theories of the Press (Authoritarian, Communist, Libertarian,
Social Responsibility, Developmental), Government & Media Relationship,
Censorship, First Amendment & Political Speech, FCC Equal Time Rule, Media
Regulation, Friday News Dump, Media Control & Ownership, Five Dimensions of
Media Systems (Control, Finance, Programming, Audience, Feedback), Small
Media vs Legacy Media, Digital Media Expansion Exam Questions Verified and
Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Mass Communication (overview)
the process of creating shared meaning
Communication
social interaction through messages
,Mass Media
the technological tools used to transmit the messages of mass communication
(therefore, mass media =/= mass communication)
What are the two main things communication can do? (give examples)
1. unite (ex. UA student seeing another UA student/ alumni)
2. divide (ex. UA student seeing an Auburn student/ alumni)
Types of Communication
1. intrapersonal
2. interpersonal
3. group
4. mass
Intrapersonal Communication
within
- one's internal dialogue
Interpersonal Communication
between two people
, - physical communication
- response (or lack of)
Group Communication
one speaker to an audience
Mass Communication (type)
send a message to a large audience for a specific purpose(s)
Tasks of Mass Communication (are they mutually exclusive?)
1. Inform
2. Entertain
3. Persuade
NOT mutually exclusive!
What is necessary to communicate on a mass scale?
you need a "channel" or "device" or "media" to communicate
Media (aka channel/ device)
Media = "mediated"/"to go between"
a channel, device, or media is an extension of a human (an amplification)
Definition, Social Interaction Through Messages, Mass Media vs Mass
Communication, Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Group & Mass Communication
Types, Mass Communication Functions (Inform, Entertain, Persuade), Channels
& Media (Paper, Electronic, Chemical), Mediated Communication, One-Way
Communication, Feedback Limitations, Bandwidth, Transmission Model (Source,
Message, Channel, Receiver, Encoding, Decoding), Fidelity & Shared Meaning,
Noise Types (Environmental, Psychological, Physical, Semantic, Cultural),
Framing & Priming, Agenda Setting, Media Effects, Cultural Imperialism, Global
Media Systems, McLuhan Theory (“Medium is the Message”, Global Village),
Media Ecology, Short Head vs Long Tail Economics, Media Oligopoly, Synergy,
Brow Continuum (High, Middle, Low Culture), Models of Mass Communication
(Transmission, Ritual, Publicity, Reception), Audience Interpretation & Meaning
Construction, Four Theories of the Press (Authoritarian, Communist, Libertarian,
Social Responsibility, Developmental), Government & Media Relationship,
Censorship, First Amendment & Political Speech, FCC Equal Time Rule, Media
Regulation, Friday News Dump, Media Control & Ownership, Five Dimensions of
Media Systems (Control, Finance, Programming, Audience, Feedback), Small
Media vs Legacy Media, Digital Media Expansion Exam Questions Verified and
Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Mass Communication (overview)
the process of creating shared meaning
Communication
social interaction through messages
,Mass Media
the technological tools used to transmit the messages of mass communication
(therefore, mass media =/= mass communication)
What are the two main things communication can do? (give examples)
1. unite (ex. UA student seeing another UA student/ alumni)
2. divide (ex. UA student seeing an Auburn student/ alumni)
Types of Communication
1. intrapersonal
2. interpersonal
3. group
4. mass
Intrapersonal Communication
within
- one's internal dialogue
Interpersonal Communication
between two people
, - physical communication
- response (or lack of)
Group Communication
one speaker to an audience
Mass Communication (type)
send a message to a large audience for a specific purpose(s)
Tasks of Mass Communication (are they mutually exclusive?)
1. Inform
2. Entertain
3. Persuade
NOT mutually exclusive!
What is necessary to communicate on a mass scale?
you need a "channel" or "device" or "media" to communicate
Media (aka channel/ device)
Media = "mediated"/"to go between"
a channel, device, or media is an extension of a human (an amplification)
