Assertion (A): Mass media promote a culture of violence in society. Reason…
2010
Assertion (A): Mass media promote a culture of violence in society. Reason (R): Violence sells in the market because people are themselves violent in character.
Answer: C. (A) is true, but (R) is false. — ConceptAn assertion–reason item requires two separate truth tests: first judge the assertion and the reason independently; examine the explanatory link only…
- A.
Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- B.
Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- C.
(A) is true, but (R) is false.
- D.
Both (A) and (R) are false.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
An assertion–reason item requires two separate truth tests: first judge the assertion and the reason independently; examine the explanatory link only if both are true.
Media-effects research distinguishes exposure effects from an essentialist account of human nature: media content can shape attitudes or desensitize audiences without assuming that all people are inherently violent.
Application
The American Academy of Pediatrics review reports that exposure to media violence can increase aggressive behavior and desensitize viewers. This supports the assertion in the standard exam reading: mass media can contribute to a culture that normalizes violence.
The reason makes a different, categorical claim—that violent content sells because people are violent by character. UNESCO’s Seville Statement rejects the deterministic premise that human violence is an inherent, fixed trait; therefore, the reason’s sweeping premise is false.
Because the reason is false, it cannot serve as an explanation of the assertion.
Contrast
‘Both are true and the reason explains the assertion’ requires the reason to be true and causal; the reason fails the independent truth test.
‘Both are true but the reason does not explain the assertion’ still requires the reason to be true; that requirement is not met.
‘Both are false’ requires the assertion to be false; this conflicts with established media-effects evidence.
Cross-check
The two independent truth tests converge on the same offered relationship. An assertion–reason MCQ asks for the best-supported offered combination; the alternatives need not enumerate every logically possible truth assignment once the assertion is established as true and the reason as false.
Result
Thus, (A) is true, but (R) is false.