Introduction to Communication Science - Partial exam 1
Question and Answers
Theory - Correct Answer:A systematic framework of ideas, concepts, and principles that seeks to
explain and predict natural or social phenomena. Providing a way to understand and make sense
of observed patterns, relationships, and behaviours.
What does a theory do? - Correct Answer:- Helps to understand
- Influence how we see certain things, emphasising certain aspects.
- Guides us and shows a framework.
4 trends in communication research - Correct Answer:- Mass Society and Mass Culture
- Media Effects
- Critical Cultural Trend
- Meaning-Making Theory
Mass Society and Mass Culture Trend - Correct Answer:Mass culture suggests that the media,
particularly broadcast media, have the power to shape and influence popular culture by
disseminating standardized content and messages to a wide audience. This can lead to the
homogenisation of cultural tastes and values.
Mass society theory: States that mass media contribute to the formation of a mass society where
individuals become isolated and alienated from one another due to the pervasive influence of
media and the breakdown of traditional social bonds.
The study of mass culture and mass society explores the role of media in shaping social norms,
values, and identities, and it continues to evolve with the changing landscape of communication
technologies and their impact on society
Media effects trend - Correct Answer:Investigate how exposure to media content can shape
public opinion, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. They explore various effects, including agenda-
setting (media's ability to prioritize and emphasize certain issues), cultivation (long-term media
exposure shaping perceptions of reality), and framing (how media frames news stories and
events).
How media impacts individuals' information consumption, political polarization and overall
communication
Critical Cultural trend - Correct Answer:Investigates how media can reinforce or challenge
prevailing cultural narratives, ideologies, and societal inequalities. This trend places a strong
emphasis on issues of representation, identity, race, gender, and class in both media content and
production. It underscores the importance of addressing social injustices, combating stereotypes,
and advocating for diversity and inclusivity in media, aligning with broader discussions on
equity and societal transformation
Meaning making theory - Correct Answer:Suggests that individuals actively interpret and
construct meaning from messages and experiences, influenced by their cultural, social, and
personal contexts. It emphasizes the role of subjectivity and personal perspective in
, communication. This theory is important because it highlights that communication isn't just
about transmitting information; it's about how individuals make sense of that information
Empirical cycle - Correct Answer:1. Observation
2. Induction
3. Deduction
4. Testing
5. Evaluation
Empirical cycle steps (specific) - Correct Answer:1. Observation: noticeable relations and
questions
2. Induction: from specific (observation) to general; theories that can explain the
(specific)relations
3. Deduction from general to specific: formulating (specific) expectations/hypotheses that can be
tested
4. Testing: testing the variables from the hypotheses
5. Evaluation: do the results support the hypotheses that were formulated on the basis of theory?
Empirical cycle: Induction process - Correct Answer:Reasoning from observations to a theory
that explains the observations
Observation = different reaction from parents to dangerous behaviour of boys and girls
Observation → pattern → theory
Theory in example: dangerous behaviour of girls always evokes a different reaction from
caretakers compared to dangerous behaviour in boys
Empirical cycle: Deduction process - Correct Answer:The general to specific/hypotheses stage
Hypothesis of example: parents/caretakers will respond more negatively to dangerous behavior
of girls compared to boys
Reasoning from a theory to observations that will test the theory; trying to find support for your
theory
Explicit expectation about new observations
Prediction about new empirical observations (hypothesis)
What step of the empirical cycle relates to a scientific paper? - Correct Answer:Observation
Induction→preliminary research plan/introduction
Deduction→theoretical framework and hypotheses (or research questions)
Testing→Methods and collecting data
Data analysis and results
Evaluation→conclusions and discussion
Six factors a hypothesis must abide - Correct Answer:Empirically testable
Replicable
Objective
Transparent
Falsifiable
Question and Answers
Theory - Correct Answer:A systematic framework of ideas, concepts, and principles that seeks to
explain and predict natural or social phenomena. Providing a way to understand and make sense
of observed patterns, relationships, and behaviours.
What does a theory do? - Correct Answer:- Helps to understand
- Influence how we see certain things, emphasising certain aspects.
- Guides us and shows a framework.
4 trends in communication research - Correct Answer:- Mass Society and Mass Culture
- Media Effects
- Critical Cultural Trend
- Meaning-Making Theory
Mass Society and Mass Culture Trend - Correct Answer:Mass culture suggests that the media,
particularly broadcast media, have the power to shape and influence popular culture by
disseminating standardized content and messages to a wide audience. This can lead to the
homogenisation of cultural tastes and values.
Mass society theory: States that mass media contribute to the formation of a mass society where
individuals become isolated and alienated from one another due to the pervasive influence of
media and the breakdown of traditional social bonds.
The study of mass culture and mass society explores the role of media in shaping social norms,
values, and identities, and it continues to evolve with the changing landscape of communication
technologies and their impact on society
Media effects trend - Correct Answer:Investigate how exposure to media content can shape
public opinion, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. They explore various effects, including agenda-
setting (media's ability to prioritize and emphasize certain issues), cultivation (long-term media
exposure shaping perceptions of reality), and framing (how media frames news stories and
events).
How media impacts individuals' information consumption, political polarization and overall
communication
Critical Cultural trend - Correct Answer:Investigates how media can reinforce or challenge
prevailing cultural narratives, ideologies, and societal inequalities. This trend places a strong
emphasis on issues of representation, identity, race, gender, and class in both media content and
production. It underscores the importance of addressing social injustices, combating stereotypes,
and advocating for diversity and inclusivity in media, aligning with broader discussions on
equity and societal transformation
Meaning making theory - Correct Answer:Suggests that individuals actively interpret and
construct meaning from messages and experiences, influenced by their cultural, social, and
personal contexts. It emphasizes the role of subjectivity and personal perspective in
, communication. This theory is important because it highlights that communication isn't just
about transmitting information; it's about how individuals make sense of that information
Empirical cycle - Correct Answer:1. Observation
2. Induction
3. Deduction
4. Testing
5. Evaluation
Empirical cycle steps (specific) - Correct Answer:1. Observation: noticeable relations and
questions
2. Induction: from specific (observation) to general; theories that can explain the
(specific)relations
3. Deduction from general to specific: formulating (specific) expectations/hypotheses that can be
tested
4. Testing: testing the variables from the hypotheses
5. Evaluation: do the results support the hypotheses that were formulated on the basis of theory?
Empirical cycle: Induction process - Correct Answer:Reasoning from observations to a theory
that explains the observations
Observation = different reaction from parents to dangerous behaviour of boys and girls
Observation → pattern → theory
Theory in example: dangerous behaviour of girls always evokes a different reaction from
caretakers compared to dangerous behaviour in boys
Empirical cycle: Deduction process - Correct Answer:The general to specific/hypotheses stage
Hypothesis of example: parents/caretakers will respond more negatively to dangerous behavior
of girls compared to boys
Reasoning from a theory to observations that will test the theory; trying to find support for your
theory
Explicit expectation about new observations
Prediction about new empirical observations (hypothesis)
What step of the empirical cycle relates to a scientific paper? - Correct Answer:Observation
Induction→preliminary research plan/introduction
Deduction→theoretical framework and hypotheses (or research questions)
Testing→Methods and collecting data
Data analysis and results
Evaluation→conclusions and discussion
Six factors a hypothesis must abide - Correct Answer:Empirically testable
Replicable
Objective
Transparent
Falsifiable
