Comprehensive Social Problems and Media Influence Quizlet

What do we call the initial arguments claimsmakers make about a troubling condition?

Primary claims

What media concept explains why only certain stories fit into a broadcast?

News hole

Why can only a limited number of social problems receive media attention at once?

Carrying capacity

What concept explains liberals and conservatives accusing the media of different types of bias?

Media bias

Who decides which events become news based on routines, deadlines, and beats?

Newsworkers

What do we call a societal climate where media exaggerates danger?

Culture of fear

What theory explains why heavy TV viewers perceive the world as dangerous?

Mean world syndrome

What term describes low-effort activism like sharing posts without further action?

Slacktivism

Why do Americans often think crime is increasing despite data showing decreases?

Because media overrepresent violent crime

Why do definitions matter when discussing the frequency of gun violence?

Different definitions change public perception of trends

What method do claimsmakers use to measure public reaction?

Polling/surveys

What term describes a survey group that reflects the larger population?

Representative sample

In survey research, what is the broader group researchers want to generalize about?

Population

What do we call cultural stories that reflect shared fears or morals?

Folklore

What are modern, sensational stories told as if true?

Urban legends

What is the process of creating laws to address social problems called?

Policy making

What do we call the formal steps a bill goes through to become law?

Legislative process

Which process allows courts to challenge or overturn policies?

Legal review/appeals process

What activity involves influencing policymakers' decisions?

Lobbying

Who researches issues and drafts policy behind the scenes?

Congressional staff

What stream involves identifying troubling conditions requiring attention?

Problem recognition stream

What stream involves developing possible solutions to a social problem?

Policy proposal stream

Which stream reflects the political climate and public mood affecting policymaking?

Political stream

What do we call the direct implementation of policies by frontline workers?

Social problems work

What do we call simplified entertainment portrayals of police or workers?

Media portrayals of social problems work ("copaganda")

What term refers to workers making case-by-case decisions?

Discretion of social problems workers

What do we call the effects of policies once implemented?

Policy outcomes

What are arguments evaluating the effectiveness of a policy called?

Policy critiques

What do we call the recurring rise and fall of attention to social problems?

Social problems cycles

What rhetorical strategy highlights threats and downplays progress?

Pessimism

What idea assumes troubling conditions must be completely eliminated?

Perfectibility