COMM 2500 Final Questions With Correct
Answers 2026 Update
Chapter 7: Parasocial Interaction (PSI) - CORRECT ANSWER -one-sided "interaction" feeling
during media use
Chapter 7: Parasocial Relationship (PSR) - CORRECT ANSWER -longer-term emotional
attachment/loyalty to a media figure.
Chapter 7: Cultivation causality issue - CORRECT ANSWER -unclear direction: TV causes fear vs
fearful people watch more.
Chapter 7: UGT critique - CORRECT ANSWER -relies on self-report; may describe more than
predict.
Chapter 7: Magic Bullet / Hypodermic Needle Model - CORRECT ANSWER -Media messages
have direct, powerful, immediate effects on a passive audience.
Chapter 7: Cultivation Theory (Gerbner) - CORRECT ANSWER -Long-term, cumulative media
exposure shapes people's perceptions of reality.
Chapter 7: Uses & Gratifications Theory (Katz, Blumler, Gurevitch) - CORRECT ANSWER -
Audiences are active and use media to fulfill needs (not just "affected by" media).
Chapter 7: Gerbner's 3-Prong Approach — Name them - CORRECT ANSWER -Institutional
Process Analysis + Message System Analysis + Cultivation Analysis
Chapter 7: Institutional Process Analysis - CORRECT ANSWER -Studies
ownership/control/structures of media and how power/profit shape content.
, Chapter 7: Message System Analysis - CORRECT ANSWER -Examines recurring patterns/themes
in media content (values, stereotypes, violence, roles).
Chapter 7: Cultivation Analysis - CORRECT ANSWER -Studies long-term effects by comparing
heavy vs light viewers' beliefs/perceptions.
Chapter 7: Heavy Viewers (Cultivation) - CORRECT ANSWER -Typically 4+ hours/day of TV (classic
Gerbner definition).
Chapter 7: Mainstreaming - CORRECT ANSWER -Heavy viewing causes different groups' views to
converge toward a common "TV-shaped" worldview.
Chapter 7: Resonance - CORRECT ANSWER -Cultivation is stronger when TV matches real-life
experience ("double dose").
Chapter 7: Mean World Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER -Heavy viewers see the world as more
dangerous/violent than it really is (fear + distrust).
Chapter 7: Key Gerbner Content Finding — Representation - CORRECT ANSWER -TV over-
represents well-off, young, white males; women underrepresented + narrower roles.
Chapter 7: Key Gerbner Content Finding — Violence - CORRECT ANSWER -TV violence/crime is
exaggerated; dominant white males often perpetrators; minorities/females often victims.
Chapter 7: UGT Rubin Motives- big 3 - CORRECT ANSWER -Information, Escape, Social
Interaction
Answers 2026 Update
Chapter 7: Parasocial Interaction (PSI) - CORRECT ANSWER -one-sided "interaction" feeling
during media use
Chapter 7: Parasocial Relationship (PSR) - CORRECT ANSWER -longer-term emotional
attachment/loyalty to a media figure.
Chapter 7: Cultivation causality issue - CORRECT ANSWER -unclear direction: TV causes fear vs
fearful people watch more.
Chapter 7: UGT critique - CORRECT ANSWER -relies on self-report; may describe more than
predict.
Chapter 7: Magic Bullet / Hypodermic Needle Model - CORRECT ANSWER -Media messages
have direct, powerful, immediate effects on a passive audience.
Chapter 7: Cultivation Theory (Gerbner) - CORRECT ANSWER -Long-term, cumulative media
exposure shapes people's perceptions of reality.
Chapter 7: Uses & Gratifications Theory (Katz, Blumler, Gurevitch) - CORRECT ANSWER -
Audiences are active and use media to fulfill needs (not just "affected by" media).
Chapter 7: Gerbner's 3-Prong Approach — Name them - CORRECT ANSWER -Institutional
Process Analysis + Message System Analysis + Cultivation Analysis
Chapter 7: Institutional Process Analysis - CORRECT ANSWER -Studies
ownership/control/structures of media and how power/profit shape content.
, Chapter 7: Message System Analysis - CORRECT ANSWER -Examines recurring patterns/themes
in media content (values, stereotypes, violence, roles).
Chapter 7: Cultivation Analysis - CORRECT ANSWER -Studies long-term effects by comparing
heavy vs light viewers' beliefs/perceptions.
Chapter 7: Heavy Viewers (Cultivation) - CORRECT ANSWER -Typically 4+ hours/day of TV (classic
Gerbner definition).
Chapter 7: Mainstreaming - CORRECT ANSWER -Heavy viewing causes different groups' views to
converge toward a common "TV-shaped" worldview.
Chapter 7: Resonance - CORRECT ANSWER -Cultivation is stronger when TV matches real-life
experience ("double dose").
Chapter 7: Mean World Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER -Heavy viewers see the world as more
dangerous/violent than it really is (fear + distrust).
Chapter 7: Key Gerbner Content Finding — Representation - CORRECT ANSWER -TV over-
represents well-off, young, white males; women underrepresented + narrower roles.
Chapter 7: Key Gerbner Content Finding — Violence - CORRECT ANSWER -TV violence/crime is
exaggerated; dominant white males often perpetrators; minorities/females often victims.
Chapter 7: UGT Rubin Motives- big 3 - CORRECT ANSWER -Information, Escape, Social
Interaction
