EPC EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(VERIFIED AND UPDATED)
What are the three primary historical stages of media effects research? - ANS 1. Powerful
Media (1900-1930), 2. (A Little Bit Less) Powerful Media (1940-1950s), 3. Return to
(Moderately) Powerful Effects (1970-1980s)
What model conceptualized media as a 'hypodermic needle'? - ANS The Stimulus-Response
(S-R) Model
What historical event exemplified the belief in media-induced mass hysteria? - ANS The panic
following H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds radio broadcast
What did researchers discover during the (A Little Bit Less) Powerful Media paradigm? -
ANS Individual differences that mediated media effects and the role of social networks
What is the focus of agenda-setting in media research? - ANS The salience of issues and how
media coverage determines public perceptions of issue importance
Who noted that the press is successful in telling readers what to think about? - ANS Bernard
Cohen
What is framing in media research? - ANS The way issues are presented, focusing on specific
aspects of perceived reality
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,According to Entman, what does framing promote? - ANS Problem definition, causal
interpretation, moral evaluation, and treatment recommendation
What is an example of equivalency framing? - ANS '80% survive' vs. '20% die.'
What type of framing focuses on individual stories and specific events? - ANS Episodic
Framing
What is the effect of the conflict frame in media? - ANS It highlights disagreement and can
mobilize but may also lead to cynicism if perceived as uncivil
What does the human interest frame aim to do? - ANS Generate sympathy or pity by putting
a 'human face' on an issue
What does the economic consequences frame report on? - ANS Financial gains, losses, or
future costs related to an event
What is the Schuck & Feinholdt model? - ANS A model explaining how media frames result in
specific outcomes through a 'Moderated Mediation' process
What are the components of the Moderated Mediation process? - ANS 1. Independent
Variable (IV): news frame, 2. Mediator: underlying mechanism (e.g., emotions), 3. Moderator:
individual predispositions, 4. Dependent Variable (DV): final outcome (e.g., political opinions)
How does terminology choice affect public perception? - ANS Using 'Global Warming' rather
than 'Climate Change' leads to higher certainty, greater understanding of human causes, more
worry, and increased political action willingness
What was a key theme in the Return to (Moderately) Powerful Effects paradigm? -
ANS Cultivation of Fear and Knowledge Gap
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What does the term 'Knowledge Gap' refer to in media effects? - ANS Differential rates of
information acquisition across social strata
What is the role of intervening factors in media effects? - ANS Existing attitudes and opinions
act as filters between the stimulus and response
What is the significance of social connectivity in media effects research? - ANS Audiences are
viewed as members of social networks that influence media reception
What has the study of political communication evolved from? - ANS A primarily cognitive
focus to a nuanced understanding of how emotions mediate the effects of news frames on
public opinion.
What are the four emotions highlighted in the study of political communication? - ANS Pity,
sympathy, anger, and disgust.
Which type of framing is more emotionally engaging? - ANS Episodic framing.
What is the main difference between episodic and thematic framing? - ANS Episodic framing
focuses on specific individuals, while thematic framing focuses on broad societal contexts.
What is a potential downside of episodic framing? - ANS It can trigger cognitive attributions
of individual responsibility, which may dampen policy support.
How have journalistic practices changed regarding emotion in news? - ANS They have moved
from 'clinical' reporting to accepting emotion as a functional 'news value'.
What is a news frame? - ANS A central organizing idea or storyline that provides meaning to
events and guides audience thoughts.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
(VERIFIED AND UPDATED)
What are the three primary historical stages of media effects research? - ANS 1. Powerful
Media (1900-1930), 2. (A Little Bit Less) Powerful Media (1940-1950s), 3. Return to
(Moderately) Powerful Effects (1970-1980s)
What model conceptualized media as a 'hypodermic needle'? - ANS The Stimulus-Response
(S-R) Model
What historical event exemplified the belief in media-induced mass hysteria? - ANS The panic
following H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds radio broadcast
What did researchers discover during the (A Little Bit Less) Powerful Media paradigm? -
ANS Individual differences that mediated media effects and the role of social networks
What is the focus of agenda-setting in media research? - ANS The salience of issues and how
media coverage determines public perceptions of issue importance
Who noted that the press is successful in telling readers what to think about? - ANS Bernard
Cohen
What is framing in media research? - ANS The way issues are presented, focusing on specific
aspects of perceived reality
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,According to Entman, what does framing promote? - ANS Problem definition, causal
interpretation, moral evaluation, and treatment recommendation
What is an example of equivalency framing? - ANS '80% survive' vs. '20% die.'
What type of framing focuses on individual stories and specific events? - ANS Episodic
Framing
What is the effect of the conflict frame in media? - ANS It highlights disagreement and can
mobilize but may also lead to cynicism if perceived as uncivil
What does the human interest frame aim to do? - ANS Generate sympathy or pity by putting
a 'human face' on an issue
What does the economic consequences frame report on? - ANS Financial gains, losses, or
future costs related to an event
What is the Schuck & Feinholdt model? - ANS A model explaining how media frames result in
specific outcomes through a 'Moderated Mediation' process
What are the components of the Moderated Mediation process? - ANS 1. Independent
Variable (IV): news frame, 2. Mediator: underlying mechanism (e.g., emotions), 3. Moderator:
individual predispositions, 4. Dependent Variable (DV): final outcome (e.g., political opinions)
How does terminology choice affect public perception? - ANS Using 'Global Warming' rather
than 'Climate Change' leads to higher certainty, greater understanding of human causes, more
worry, and increased political action willingness
What was a key theme in the Return to (Moderately) Powerful Effects paradigm? -
ANS Cultivation of Fear and Knowledge Gap
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What does the term 'Knowledge Gap' refer to in media effects? - ANS Differential rates of
information acquisition across social strata
What is the role of intervening factors in media effects? - ANS Existing attitudes and opinions
act as filters between the stimulus and response
What is the significance of social connectivity in media effects research? - ANS Audiences are
viewed as members of social networks that influence media reception
What has the study of political communication evolved from? - ANS A primarily cognitive
focus to a nuanced understanding of how emotions mediate the effects of news frames on
public opinion.
What are the four emotions highlighted in the study of political communication? - ANS Pity,
sympathy, anger, and disgust.
Which type of framing is more emotionally engaging? - ANS Episodic framing.
What is the main difference between episodic and thematic framing? - ANS Episodic framing
focuses on specific individuals, while thematic framing focuses on broad societal contexts.
What is a potential downside of episodic framing? - ANS It can trigger cognitive attributions
of individual responsibility, which may dampen policy support.
How have journalistic practices changed regarding emotion in news? - ANS They have moved
from 'clinical' reporting to accepting emotion as a functional 'news value'.
What is a news frame? - ANS A central organizing idea or storyline that provides meaning to
events and guides audience thoughts.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
