Chapter 21 – Agenda Setting Theory
Chapter 21
Agenda Setting Theory
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following important functions of mass media did Harold D. Lasswell describe?
2. The phenomenon of journalists’ agenda being influenced by other journalists is referred to as
_____.
3. Which of the following is an assumption of Agenda Setting Theory?
4. All of the following are examples of media framing in newspapers EXCEPT
5. When both media and source have high power, Littlejohn and Foss suggest that
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19. Criticisms of Agenda Setting Theory have asserted that the theory’s scope is _____.
20. _____ is the process of newspeople scanning the information that is in the environment and
deciding which of the many events that are occurring deserve attention in their news outlets.
21. A(n) _____ refers to a list of the most important issues of the day as decided by an entity,
such as the media.
22. _____ refers to how much information people think they have about an issue.
True/False Questions
23. When a relation exists between a high-power source and low-power media, the source is
24. Agenda Setting is a limited effect model.
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25. Media framing is defined as how the media generate a list of important issues that comprise
26. In the process of priming, what the media present temporarily, at least, influences what
people think about afterwards in processing additional information.
27. The agenda setting process consists of five parts.
28. The agenda setting process can be complicated by different media sources presenting
confliction information.
29. Agenda Setting Theory is associated with the interpersonal communication context.
30. Agenda Setting Theory has only been studied in the United States.
31. In the case of a lower-power source and high-power media, the media are not able to set
their own agenda because the source is considered to have a voice.
32. Walter Lippmann used the term “agenda setting” in his book called Public Opinion.
Essay Questions
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33. Identify and explain the three assumptions associated with Agenda Setting Theory.
Answers will vary.
34. Discuss the first stage of agenda setting research in the context of the contributions by
Robert E. Park, Walter Lippmann, and Harold D. Lasswell.
Answers will vary.
35. Discuss the second level of agenda setting function, especially in the context of media
framing.
Answers will vary.
36. Discuss an example of intermedia influence you have recently experienced in regard to an
issue. What are some advantages and disadvantages of this pack journalism?
Answers will vary.
37. Using the standard criteria for evaluating communication theories, evaluate Agenda Setting
Theory.
Answers will vary.
38. Explain the simple format of the agenda setting process as well as three of the following
factors that might complicate that format: salience, credibility, conflicting evidence, shared
values, relevance, and uncertainty.
Answers will vary.
39. Do you believe that Agenda Setting is still a useful theory as more and more media sources
become available to the public? Why, or why not?
Answers will vary.
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40. How would you go about testing whether Agenda Setting Theory is occurring with respect
to a particular social issue? Select an issue, formulate a research question, and describe a study
that could test whether Agenda Setting Theory is supported.
Answers will vary.