Crime and the Media: How News Shapes Our Understanding of Crime

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a primary way that the media shapes public perceptions of crime?

Accepted Answer

Diversion

Answer

Agenda-setting

Answer

Priming

Answer

Framing

Question 2

How does 'priming' influence public opinions about crime?

Accepted Answer

By making people more likely to view crime as a prevalent and personal threat

Answer

By increasing people's confidence in the criminal justice system

Answer

By reducing people's feelings of vulnerability

Answer

By making the public less sympathetic towards victims of crime

Question 3

Which theory proposes that media portrayals of crime can inspire or encourage individuals to commit similar offenses?

Accepted Answer

Copycat theory

Answer

Agenda-setting theory

Answer

Cultivation theory

Answer

Differential association theory

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a primary method by which the media can shape public perceptions of crime?

Accepted Answer

Lowering crime rates

Answer

Priming and framing

Answer

Agenda setting

Answer

Cultivation

Question 5

The tendency for media representations of crime to be more sensationalistic and graphic than the actual crime rate is known as:

Accepted Answer

Media hype

Answer

Moral panic

Answer

Crime distortion

Answer

Fear mongering

Question 6

Which of the following theories posits that media portrayals of violence can lead to desensitization and an increased likelihood of committing violent acts?

Accepted Answer

Social learning theory

Answer

Cultivation theory

Answer

Agenda-setting theory

Answer

Selective perception theory

Question 7

The process by which the media prioritize certain issues and determine which ones receive the most coverage is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Agenda setting

Answer

Gatekeeping

Answer

Framing

Answer

Priming

Question 8

The process by which media messages are interpreted and understood by audiences is known as:

Accepted Answer

Decoding

Answer

Encoding

Answer

Framing

Answer

Gatekeeping

Question 9

According to the cultivation theory, what is a primary effect of prolonged exposure to media depictions of crime?

Accepted Answer

Increased perception of crime prevalence and severity

Answer

Positive portrayal of law enforcement

Answer

No impact on victimization risk

Question 10

Which of the following is a strategy that journalists can use to minimize bias in their crime reporting?

Accepted Answer

Seeking perspectives from a diverse range of sources

Answer

Emphasizing sensationalized language and imagery

Answer

Avoiding the use of context and background information

Answer

Relying solely on official sources

Question 11

How does the unit suggest that the media can play a constructive role in addressing crime and criminal justice issues?

Accepted Answer

By raising awareness and fostering discussion

Answer

By exonerating those in power

Answer

By silencing the voices of victims and offenders

Answer

By promoting fear and anxiety among the public

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a way in which social media and digital technologies have transformed the landscape of crime reporting?

Accepted Answer

They have enhanced the accuracy and credibility of crime reporting.

Answer

They have increased the speed and reach of information.

Answer

They have facilitated citizen journalism and user-generated content.

Answer

They have reduced the influence of traditional media outlets.

Question 13

Which of the following is a key aspect of the media's role in shaping public perceptions of crime?

Accepted Answer

Framing and agenda-setting

Answer

Emphasizing sensationalism and violence

Answer

Reducing public trust in criminal justice institutions

Answer

Providing a platform for only victim voices

Question 14

The concept of 'moral panics' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Short periods of intense media attention on a particular crime issue, often fueled by fear and exaggeration

Answer

Long-term shifts in public attitudes towards crime

Answer

Government policies designed to suppress crime

Answer

Media campaigns aimed at educating the public about crime prevention

Question 15

Which of the following is a potential benefit of media representations of crime?

Accepted Answer

Only A and B

Answer

They can raise awareness and educate the public about crime issues

Answer

They can provide a sense of community and support for victims

Answer

They can encourage civic engagement and crime prevention efforts

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a way in which the media can shape public perceptions of crime?

Accepted Answer

Providing a platform for victims' and offenders' perspectives

Answer

Highlighting certain crimes and ignoring others

Answer

Framing crime in a particular way

Answer

Creating a sense of fear and anxiety about crime

Question 17

Define the concept of 'moral panic' in the context of crime and the media.

Accepted Answer

Exaggerated public fear of a specific threat amplified by media coverage

Answer

Sudden surge in crime rates attributed to media attention

Answer

Belief that specific groups are more likely to commit crimes

Answer

Censorship preventing media from reporting on crime

Question 18

Which of the following concepts is NOT explored in the unit on Crime and the Media?

Accepted Answer

The media's impact on the causes of crime

Answer

The media's influence on public perceptions of crime

Answer

The media's portrayal of criminal justice policies

Answer

The media's influence on the experiences of victims and offenders

Question 19

The concept of 'moral panic' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Public outrage over a perceived threat to society

Answer

A sudden increase in crime rates fueled by media coverage

Answer

The use of media by law enforcement to solve crimes

Answer

The portrayal of criminals as victims by the media

Question 20

Which of the following research methods is most commonly used to study the effects of media representations of crime?

Accepted Answer

Content analysis

Answer

Surveys

Answer

Experiments

Answer

Interviews

Question 21

How can media depictions of crime have an impact on criminal justice policies?

Accepted Answer

By potentially influencing public support for stringent punishments

Answer

By promoting rehabilitation and restorative justice approaches

Answer

By diminishing public anxiety about crime

Answer

By offering empirical evidence for crime prevention strategies

Question 22

How can the media potentially contribute to the rehabilitation of offenders?

Accepted Answer

It can highlight the difficulties faced by ex-offenders and advocate for their successful reintegration into society.

Answer

It can ostracize and stigmatize ex-offenders, making it harder for them to rebuild their lives.

Answer

It can advocate for harsher punishments for ex-offenders to deter them from further criminal activity.

Question 23

In what way can the media be effectively utilized to educate the public about crime and the criminal justice system?

Accepted Answer

By providing accurate and balanced information about crime rates, patterns, and the functioning of the justice system.

Answer

By sensationalizing crime stories and emphasizing the most shocking and violent aspects to attract attention.

Answer

By glorifying criminals and their lifestyles, creating a distorted and romanticized perception of criminal behavior.

Question 24

Which of the following best describes a common type of media sensationalism used in crime reporting?

Accepted Answer

Using exaggerated headlines, emotionally charged language, and graphic images to captivate audience attention.

Answer

Focusing on the personal lives and backgrounds of criminals, often sensationalizing their past and motives.

Answer

Presenting crime stories in a neutral and objective manner, avoiding sensationalism and bias.

Question 25

Which of the following core concepts is **NOT** covered in the 'Crime and the Media' unit?

Accepted Answer

The impact of mobile technology on crime reporting

Answer

The experiences of victims and offenders as portrayed by the media

Answer

The influence of media representations on criminal justice policies

Answer

The role of the media in shaping public perceptions of crime

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT an influence of the media on public perceptions of crime?

Accepted Answer

Providing a comprehensive and balanced view of crime statistics.

Answer

Influencing the way people think about crime victims.

Answer

Shaping the agenda for public debate

Question 27

How do media representations of crime affect criminal justice policies?

Accepted Answer

They can influence the adoption of harsher penalties and stricter sentencing guidelines.

Answer

They always lead to more lenient sentencing.

Answer

They have no impact on criminal justice policies.

Question 28

Which of the following is a critique of the media's portrayal of crime?

Accepted Answer

It often sensationalizes and focuses on violent and extreme cases, creating a distorted view of crime.

Answer

It gives too much attention to property crime.

Answer

It is always accurate and fair in its reporting.

Question 29

How does the media affect the experiences of crime victims and offenders?

Accepted Answer

It can provide a platform for victims to share their stories and advocate for change, while also influencing public perceptions of offenders.

Answer

It has no impact on the experiences of crime victims and offenders.

Answer

It always portrays victims as sympathetic and offenders as inherently evil.

Question 30

What is the role of the media in shaping public attitudes towards crime?

Accepted Answer

It can create fear and anxiety about crime, shape perceptions of risk, and influence public opinion on criminal justice policies.

Answer

It always promotes positive attitudes towards crime.

Answer

It only affects the attitudes of politicians.

Answer

It does not influence public attitudes towards crime.

Question 31

Which of the following is an example of a moral panic created or amplified by the media?

Accepted Answer

The Satanic Ritual Abuse Scare of the 1980s and 1990s

Answer

The Watergate Scandal of 1972

Answer

The Great Train Robbery of 1963

Answer

The Hillsborough Disaster of 1989

Question 32

How can the media be used to promote social justice in the context of crime?

Accepted Answer

It can challenge stereotypes, provide diverse perspectives, and amplify marginalized voices to advocate for equitable criminal justice policies.

Answer

It should not be involved in social justice issues.

Answer

It should only focus on reporting sensational crimes.

Question 33

What is the concept of 'media framing'?

Accepted Answer

The process by which the media selects, emphasizes, organizes, and presents information about crime, shaping how audiences interpret and understand it.

Answer

The process of interviewing victims and witnesses.

Answer

The use of visual images and narratives to represent crime.

Question 34

How has the internet changed the media landscape in relation to crime reporting?

Accepted Answer

It has democratized access to information about crime, allowing for a wider range of perspectives and challenging traditional gatekeepers.

Answer

It has made it more difficult for journalists to investigate crime.

Answer

It has reduced the amount of crime coverage in the media.

Question 35

In what way can the media contribute to crime prevention?

Accepted Answer

It can educate the public about crime prevention strategies, raise awareness of community safety initiatives, and foster a sense of collective responsibility.

Answer

It should only focus on reporting crime.

Answer

It is not responsible for preventing crime.

Question 36

Which of these is NOT a way in which the media can shape public perceptions of crime?

Accepted Answer

Presenting crime in a neutral and unbiased manner

Answer

Portraying criminals as either heroes or villains

Answer

Framing crime as a threat to national security

Question 37

According to the 'moral panic' theory, the media can:

Accepted Answer

Create a disproportionate sense of fear and anxiety about crime

Answer

Have no influence on public attitudes towards crime

Question 38

What is a key ethical consideration when reporting on crime in the media?

Accepted Answer

Respecting the privacy and dignity of victims and their families

Answer

Sensationalizing the story to attract viewers

Answer

Focusing primarily on the criminal's perspective

Question 39

The 'spiral of silence' theory suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Individuals may be less likely to express minority opinions about crime due to fear of isolation

Answer

The media always accurately reflects the majority opinion on crime

Question 40

Which of the following is a common criticism of the media's portrayal of victims of crime?

Accepted Answer

They can be marginalized or exploited

Answer

They are always given a voice in the media

Answer

The media never exploits victims for their own gain

Answer

Their experiences are always accurately and respectfully represented

Question 41

What is meant by 'media framing'?

Accepted Answer

The way the media selectively presents and emphasizes certain aspects of a crime story

Answer

The accuracy of the information presented in a crime story

Answer

The ethical implications of reporting on crime

Question 42

Which of the following is a potential consequence of the media's focus on crime?

Accepted Answer

Increased public fear of crime

Answer

More informed decision-making on crime policy

Answer

Increased trust in the criminal justice system

Answer

Reduced crime rates

Question 43

According to the 'agenda-setting' hypothesis, the media can:

Accepted Answer

Influence which issues the public perceives as important

Answer

Control the public's agenda

Answer

Have no influence on the public's agenda

Question 44

What is a potential benefit of media coverage of crime?

Accepted Answer

Educating the public about important crime-related issues

Answer

Always providing accurate and unbiased information

Answer

Creating a culture of fear and anxiety

Question 45

The concept of 'mediated crime' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The idea that the media's portrayal of crime differs from the actual experience of crime

Answer

The reality of crime as experienced by victims and offenders