Question 1

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'Democratically Corrosive Sentiment' (DCS) as used in the study?

Accepted Answer

A set of attitudes including populist beliefs, conspiracy thinking, and expectation of election fraud that threaten democratic norms.

Question 2

According to the study, which type of media use is most strongly and positively associated with DCS?

Accepted Answer

Attention to right-wing media outlets such as Fox News and Breitbart.

Question 3

What is the main theoretical advantage of the 'Feelings of Being Devalued' (FBD) measure compared to traditional status threat measures?

Accepted Answer

FBD captures both individual and group-based senses of decline, without being tied to specific identities or economic conditions.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a component of the DCS measure used in the study?

Accepted Answer

Support for increased government spending on welfare.

Question 5

Based on the study's findings, which social media category is most strongly associated with DCS?

Accepted Answer

Alt-Tech social media (e.g., Gab, Truth Social).

Question 6

Which hypothesis (as stated in the study) was NOT supported by the data?

Accepted Answer

There are significant interaction effects between mass media and social media use in predicting DCS.

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why stronger-tie social media (like Facebook) are more associated with DCS than weaker-tie social media (like Twitter/X)?

Accepted Answer

Stronger-tie networks facilitate political homophily and safer sharing of stigmatized views.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is supported by the correlation matrix in Figure 1?

Accepted Answer

General conspiracy belief is positively correlated with belief in specific conspiracies such as 9/11 and climate change hoax.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the relationship between mainstream news consumption and DCS, as shown in Figure 4?

Accepted Answer

Mainstream news consumption is inversely associated with DCS.

Question 10

Which of the following is a key implication of the study for understanding the role of media in democratic backsliding?

Accepted Answer

Different types of media have distinct and sometimes opposing relationships with democratically corrosive sentiment.

Question 11

Suppose a new social media platform is launched that combines features of both stronger-tie and Alt-Tech platforms. Based on the study, what would you predict about its association with DCS?

Accepted Answer

It would likely be strongly associated with DCS, possibly more than either category alone.

Question 12

Which of the following variables was found to be a stronger predictor of DCS than right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation?

Accepted Answer

Feelings of Being Devalued (FBD)

Question 13

A student claims that using Twitter/X for political engagement is a strong predictor of DCS. Based on the study, how should you respond?

Accepted Answer

The claim is incorrect; use of weaker-tie social media like Twitter/X is not significantly associated with DCS when controls are included.

Question 14

Which of the following best summarizes the study's findings regarding the interaction between mass media and social media use?

Accepted Answer

There is no significant interaction; their effects on DCS are independent.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a survey item used to measure FBD?

Accepted Answer

"People like me are not valued the same way as before."

Question 16

If a respondent scores high on both FBD and engagement with Alt-Tech social media, what does the study suggest about their likely DCS level?

Accepted Answer

They are likely to have a high level of DCS.

Media Use, Feelings of Being Devalued, and Democratically Corrosive Sentiment in the US: Sociological Perspectives

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