Exam 29: Cultivation Theory

Discuss how Fisher would respond to the following quote from early in the chapter: "At its root, television is society's institutional storyteller, and a society's stories give 'a coherent picture of what exists, what is important, what is related to what, and what is right'" (356). Correspondingly, how might Fisher theorize about the commitment of Gerbner and his associates to change "the stories that American television tells"?

As per George Gerbner's observation, television homogenizes its audience so that those with heavy viewing habits share the same orientations, perspectives, and meanings with each other.

The overt expression of physical force (with or without a weapon, against self or others) compelling action against one's will on pain of being hurt and/or killed or threatened to be so victimized as part of the plot is called:

Cultivation theory predicts that the effects of television viewing are discernible almost immediately after a person begins watching television.

Which of the following is NOT considered dramatic violence using Gerbner's index plan?

Cultivation theory has been criticized:

In the context of media cultivation, discuss how Michael Morgan's use of the gravitational field metaphor differs from the cue ball metaphor used by George Gerbner.

For those with real-life experiences with violence, the ________ process can amplify the cultivation effects.

What is mainstreaming? Provide an example.

Dave is a heavy television viewer who watches the "tube" every night after work, usually from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. So what? What would Gerbner predict about Dave? Be as specific as possible. How does he differ from Barb who occasionally watches only a home improvement show?

How would you describe your own viewing habits and those of members of your family or household? What do you believe are the consequences of these patterns of television exposure?

The ________ states that when people make judgments about the world around them, they rely on the smallest bits of information that come to mind most quickly.

Even though those with heavy TV viewing habits call themselves moderates, George Gerbner and his associates studying cultural indicators noted that their positions on social issues are decidedly conservative.

According to Gerbner, which characters are most at risk in violent televised dramas? What are the consequences of his findings?

________ is the overt expression of physical force (with or without a weapon, against self or others), compelling action against one's will on pain of being hurt and/or killed or threatened to be so victimized as part of the plot.

The politics of why media organizations produce violent programming is beyond the scope of cultivation theory's tenets.

Using the criteria for evaluating a scientific theory, how well would Gerbner's theory stack up? What are the strength and weaknesses of cultivation theory?

How would Hall interpret the survey research data collected by Gerbner and his associates?