Which concept describes the belief that the world is more dangerous than reality?

• A. Bardic function
• B. Mainstreaming
• C. Mean World Index
• D. Resonance

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how media shapes our sense of the real world, specifically that heavy TV viewing can make people perceive the world as more dangerous. This phenomenon is the mean world syndrome. The Mean World Index is the measurement researchers use to quantify how widespread that belief is in a population. So it’s the best choice because it names the tool that captures the exact belief described. The other terms describe different aspects of cultivation theory—mainstreaming refers to convergence of views across groups, resonance to stronger effects when media reflects personal experience—while bardic function isn’t a standard concept here.