Mass Communication Midterm Exam

channel

the medium used to transmit an encoded message

communication

how we interact socially at various levels through messages

decoding

“translating” a signal from a mass medium into a form that the receiver can understand and their interpretation of the message

encoding

the process of turning the sender’s ideas into a message and preparing it for transmission

group communication

one person communicating with two or more people

intrapersonal communication

communication with yourself/your interpretation and meaning for the world around you

interpersonal communication

communication between two people

legacy media

traditional media typically owned by large corporations (newspapers, magazines, publishers, television networks)

mass communication

the process through which a message is sent by an individual/institution via technology to reach a large mixed audience

mass media

the technological tools used for mass communication

media literacy

an audience’s understanding of the media industry’s operations

message

the content being transmitted

noise

potential interference with the transmission of a message

publicity model

a model of mass communication that looks at how media attention can make something important due to being made known

receiver

the audience of a message

reception model

critical theory model of mass communication that looks at how audience members derive and create meaning out of media content

ritual model

a model of mass communication that treats media as an interactive ritual engaged in by audience members

sender

the source of the message

Sender Message Channel Receiver (SMCR) or transmission model

a dated model that is still useful in identifying the players in the mass communication process

pictures in your head

media put ideas in your head and you can’t help but process some of it

bullet theory

discredited theory that says media can shoot ideas into your head

two-step flow theory

media affect others and then affect you

gatekeeping/agenda setting

the idea that certain media organizations avoid certain stories

uses and gratifications theory

we use media because it meets our needs, making it difficult to “quit” different social platforms

parasocial interaction theory

thinking we “know” someone because we see them on media

social learning theory

media “teach” us how to act in society by portraying behaviors

third-person effect theory

thinking media affects you less or more than others

cumulative effects theory

multiple exposure affects how we view things

consistency theory/cognitive dissonance

we tend to avoid conflicting sources because we like “harmony”

individual differences

your demographics influence your world view

cultivation theory

media create and shape the way you see the world, often making you see it differently than it actually is

long tail

a lot of something that are not very popular

short head

fewer of these because they are very popular. Think Taylor Swift

synergy

the ability of a company to use part of itself to promote other parts

cultural imperialism

the idea that too much of another culture’s culture will take over your culture

authoritarian theory

Private ownership in which the “truth” is what authority says.

communist theory

ownership by the state. Believe that the “truth” is the inevitability of the “perfect state”

libertarian theory

Private ownership. The truth isn’t known, we should talk about it and figure it out.

developmental theory

private ownership as a partnership to support the government.

social repsonsibility theory

private ownership similar to Libertarian but with ethics and caution.

psychographics

combination of demographics, lifestyle characteristics, products usage, etc.

libel

For nonpublic figures. 1. Published 2. Identified 3. Incorrect 4. Defamatory

actual malice

the added element necessary for a libel suit when involving a public figure

Alien and Sedition Acts

made it illegal to write, publish, or say malicious things against the government

equal time rule

over air, radio, television using radio frequency the government has stepped in to say that a company that sells political advertising must provide equal access to every viable candidate

misappropriation

invasion of privacy by using a person’s name or image for commercial purposes without their permission

net neutrality

rules that would require internet service providers to give equal access to all online content providers

obscenity

sexually explicit material that is legally prohibited from being published. “I know it when I see it”

shield laws

protection for journalists - don’t have to disclose who said certain information

categorical imperative

Kant’s idea of a moral obligation to act in a way that we want everyone else to act

ethics

a rational way of deciding what is good for individuals or society

golden mean

to avoid extremes and seek moderation

morals

an individual’s code of behavior based on principles. Define right and wrong in ways that may or may not be rational

principle of utility

Do the most good or the least harm

truth sandwich

a method of reporting about lies. Truth first, decption in the middle, and truth at the end

veil of ignorance

what decision would you make if you didn’t know your role in the scenario?

freedom of information act

grants any person the right to request access to records

sunshine law

mandatory open meetings (some exceptions)

time place and manner restrictions

First Amendment restrictions such as not being able to scream “fire” in a movie theater. Public safety

first amendment

freedom of religion, speech, press, to assemble, and to petition

PACI

Most to least protection on speech: political, artistic, commercial, indecent

global village

we “see” each other through media

priming

how media affect the standard by which people view the media. Initial thought when you don’t know anything about a subject.

absolutist ethics

treat people as ends, not as a means to your end “universal law”

utility/situational ethics

do the “most good” or the “least harm”

lobbying

advertorial

advertising materials in magazines designed to look like editorial content rather than paid advertising

Integrated marketing communication (IMC)

communication strategy for reaching key audiences combining all aspects of advertising, public relations, sales promotion, and interactive media

crisis

Any situation perceived by the public as being damaging to the reputation or image of an organization (essentially a PR nightmare)

engineering consent

using pyschology to motivate and influence public opinion

Internet of Things

noncomputer devices throughout our lives that collect data and transmit it over the internet

intranets

computer networks designed to communicate with people within an organization (two way internal communication)

media relations

two-way interactions between PR professionals and members of the press

opinion leadership

two-step process of persuasion that uses respected and influential individuals to deliver messages in order to influence members of a community

press agentry

an early form of public relations that involved sending material from the press agent to the media with little opportunity for interaction and feedback. Deceptive and unethical today

public

any group of people who share a common set of interests and goals (internal and external)

public relations (PR)

the management function that establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relationships betwen an organization and the publics on whom its success or failure depends

advertising

advertorial

advocacy ads

brand image

brand name

business to business ads

clutter

CPM

direction action message

drive time

economy of abundance

indirect action message

industrialization

influencers

local advertising

media planning

modernization

national advertising

open contract

product integration

public service ads

subliminal advertising

targeting