UCLA Comm 10 Final Exam Questions And
Answers 2025 Update.
What are the 4 functions of mass media? - Answer✔Content
Medium
Manifest
Latent
What is Content? - Answer✔the media functions as a source of information
ex: during elections: newspapers
- give you information about election, candidates, etc.
- key in helping one vote
ex: influencing on how you dress by weather
- key: specific information you get on weather
What is Medium? - Answer✔the main function of the media lies within the elements of the
medium itself
ex: going to the movies on a first date in order to avoid having to talk a lot and thus giving each
other a common ground to talk about
What is Manifest? - Answer✔the function of the media that is obvious
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ex: read a book because one is interested in the plot
What is Latent? - Answer✔the function of the media that is hidden, unintended
ex: listening to radio during breakfast to avoid talking to husband
What are the 6 (Societal) Functions of Mass Media? - Answer✔Status Confirm
Pass on/Enforces traditions, norms, values
Narcotizing Effect
Services Political System
Create Social Cohesion
Services Economy
How does it Confirm Status? - Answer✔Media confirms status of organization, people, event by
reporting on them; thus making them important
- media legitimizes people/issues
ex: Gay student killed: media covered; gay rights got covered
How does it Pass on/Enforces traditions, norms, values? - Answer✔Media tells what's right and
what's wrong
- certain news tells what to do and makes sure you follow them
- usually mass media upholds status quo
- giving homogenizing effect
ex: man doesn't pay taxes: story comes out then he went to jail
How does it have a Narcotizing Effect? - Answer✔narcotics: destroys senses
- media blinds and distorts our senses; thus, failing to support critical thinking
ex: media floods us with information so much that we're numb and don't have time to carefully
consider
- makes us apathetic; thus, failing to raise critical questions and thinking
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How does it service Political System? - Answer✔leaders use mass media to address public
ex: tells you what's happening on your news feed
- learn what candidates say helps political system work
How does it create Social Cohesion? - Answer✔brings us together
- gather around particular social website
ex: jumps online to see what's going on
during dramatic crisis
ex: 9/11 -- victims, volunteers
being alone --> scared
watching TV --> brings together
How does it service Economy? - Answer✔helps economy work with business/market reports
- advertising makes capitalist economy work
- sells products = more jobs
- use internet for commerce
What are the 8 functions of Mass Media served for individuals? - Answer✔Guide our Behavior
Guide our Understanding
Professional Tool
Develop Self Concept
Facilitate Social Interactions
Substitute for Social Interaction
Emotional Release
Ritualizes our Lives
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How does it guide our behavior? - Answer✔what we learn from the media can influence our
actions
ex: watching movies and seeing how they behave in dates; thus, influencing one's behavior in
dates
How does it guide our understanding? - Answer✔media can influence how we think about the
world
- gives us a grasp on the world
ex: Mean World Syndrome
- mass media makes viewers believe that the world is more dangerous than it actually is
- you used to take walks, but TV made you think that it was scary; thus, not wanting to walk
anymore and just staying inside
How is it a professional tool? - Answer✔media helps careers
ex: lawyer read law journal to help in career
- internet allows people to come together (linkedin.com)
How does it develop self concept? - Answer✔media can influence how you think about yourself
- identification: create concepts about yourself (who are your role models?)
ex: watching grey's anatomy: wants to become a doctor
How does it facilitate social interactions? - Answer✔mediates
ex: social media (twitter, facebook) brings people together
How does it substitute for social interactions? - Answer✔connects with people through media
- gives you indirect companionship
ex: watching Friends (on netflix)
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