Mid Term Review (complete) – Communication Ethics –

Test date October 23 (class will start slightly later at 5:45 pm)

Test format: Estimated total of 8-9 essay questions; (related topical areas will be grouped into “big” questions) –you get to choose to answer any 4 questions from the total. Not looking for creativity or originality. In your answers – you need to demonstrate your “mastery” of the course materials and discussions. Good Luck!

Key areas and issues:

1. Explain how ego centrism is a barrier to ethical reasoning; identify egocentric tendencies (4) – lecture*

2. What are the categories and characteristics of pseudo-ethical systems (4) – lecture*

3. Major Ethical perspectives (12-13) – lecture*

4. General public's beliefs regarding the use of subliminal advertising techniques (readings)

5. According to Wilson Bryan Key (and other scholars who argue that subliminal ads are widespread), why are subliminal "death appeals" used? (hint 3 explanations were offered) (video)

6. According to Wilson Bryan Key (and other scholars who argue that subliminal ads are widely used), how do subliminal techniques prompt us to take a "second look" or a double take of an advertisement (hint: three techniques were identified). (video)

7. General Definition of Subliminal Advertising (readings)

8. Four types of subliminal stimuli (discussed in Aylesworth article based on Pratkanis and Greenwald, 1988)

9. What do surveys of professional advertising practitioners tell us about the use of subliminal advertising? (readings)

10. What does contemporaneous research findings tell us regarding the effectiveness of subliminal advertising (effectiveness = motivating individuals to purchase a particular product). (readings)

11. Areas of advertising ethical controversy: strategic ambiguity; seduction of eloquence; violation of rational persuasion standard; blurring advertising boundaries; co-option of  news media; stereotypical demographic "target advertisements." (lecture).

12. Arguably, how does alcohol advertising “insult” both men and women (video and lecture)

13. review the controversy regarding “youth based” alcohol advertising. Should alcoholic advertising be banned from television (parallel to the way cigarette advertising is banned)?

14. Does research support the notion that alcohol advertising is “targeted” to the youth audience? (readings)

15. Does research indicate that alcoholic advertising is effective on youth audiences? (readings)

16. Forms (types) of sexual appeals used in advertising (5 forms: lecture)

17. Teleological v. Deontological perspectives regarding sex based advertising appeals

18. According to Kilbourne what are the seven myths perpetuated by alcohol advertisements? (lecture) (my mistake please ignor #18)

19. Discuss male and female stereotypes used in alcoholic ads/how are relationships framed?

20. What are some of the ethical concerns regarding daytime “tabloid” TV? – Lecture Why are these shows popular? (lecture).

21. The Jenny Jones Murder trial as a case study regarding ethical “Tabloid TV” concerns.

22. Does Research support the notion that “Tabloid TV” helps create a “social reality” or a cultivation effect for its viewers? (readings)

23. What does research tell us in regard to subject/topical content, demographic characteristics of guests on daytime “tabloid” TV shows? (readings)

24. Analysis of Classical democratic theory/rational choice model and common approaches (30 second format/ content issues/negative ads etc.) to political advertising contributes or undercuts the rational choice theory of democracy. in U.S. political advertising (. (lecture; possible examples from video)

25. Major ethical concerns regarding televised political advertising (5-6 areas of concern) - lecture (if possible use Oklahoma examples: e.g., Coburn vs. Carson Senate race shown in class).

26. What are some common “technological tricks” seen in televised political ads?

27. What are some possible “safeguards in the system” (4 areas-lecture) to prevent possible abuses in the use of political advertising. How well has the media fulfilled it “watchdog function” regarding news coverage of political ads (readings).

28. Why are attack ads used? (readings)
29. Devopment/Historical Origins of Rap Music - lecture 

30. Popularity of Rap Music and characteristics of consumers - lecture

31. Lyrical Issues in Rap Music - Lecture

32. Debate regarding theLink Between behavior and Rap Lyrics. Research findings in this area: readings & Lecture

33. Arguments that Rap music is only manifestation of other trends in US society.

34. Case studies of rap music controversy (videos/lecture) and applications of Ethical standards (lecture).