CHES Health Communication Strategies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which communication theory posits that people learn behaviors by observing others and the outcomes of those behaviors?
- Social Cognitive Theory (Correct answer)
- Health Belief Model
- Transtheoretical Model
- Theory of Planned Behavior
Correct answer: Social Cognitive Theory
Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura) emphasizes observational learning, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations as drivers of behavior change.
Question 2: A health educator is designing a campaign for a low-literacy audience. Which strategy is MOST appropriate?
- Use visual aids and plain language at a 6th-grade reading level (Correct answer)
- Provide detailed scientific explanations to ensure accuracy
- Rely primarily on written brochures with medical terminology
- Focus solely on social media platforms with text-heavy posts
Correct answer: Use visual aids and plain language at a 6th-grade reading level
Low-literacy audiences benefit most from visual aids combined with plain language written at or below a 6th-grade reading level.
Question 3: The concept of 'message framing' in health communication refers to:
- Presenting information to emphasize gains or losses to influence behavior (Correct answer)
- Designing the physical layout of a health education brochure
- Scheduling when health messages are broadcast on media channels
- Training educators to deliver messages with consistent tone
Correct answer: Presenting information to emphasize gains or losses to influence behavior
Message framing involves presenting information in gain-framed (benefits of action) or loss-framed (costs of inaction) ways to motivate behavior change.
Question 4: Which channel is MOST effective for reaching large, diverse populations with health messages quickly?
- Mass media (TV, radio, internet) (Correct answer)
- One-on-one counseling sessions
- Small group workshops
- Peer education programs
Correct answer: Mass media (TV, radio, internet)
Mass media channels reach broad audiences simultaneously, making them most efficient for wide-scale health communication campaigns.
Question 5: Cultural competence in health communication PRIMARILY involves:
- Tailoring messages to respect and reflect the cultural values and norms of the target audience (Correct answer)
- Translating all materials into multiple languages without other modifications
- Using the same evidence-based message for all cultural groups
- Hiring health educators who share the same ethnicity as the target population
Correct answer: Tailoring messages to respect and reflect the cultural values and norms of the target audience
Cultural competence requires adapting communication content, style, and delivery to align with the target audience's cultural context, not just language translation.
Question 6: In the SMCR communication model, what does 'C' stand for?
- Channel (Correct answer)
- Content
- Context
- Credibility
Correct answer: Channel
The SMCR model (Berlo) stands for Source, Message, Channel, and Receiver, where Channel refers to the senses or medium used to transmit the message.
Question 7: Which approach to health communication involves working WITH the community to identify needs and co-create messages?
- Community-based participatory communication (Correct answer)
- Top-down dissemination model
- Expert-driven mass media campaign
- Social marketing without formative research
Correct answer: Community-based participatory communication
Community-based participatory communication engages community members as active partners in designing and delivering health messages, increasing relevance and acceptance.
CHES Health Communication Strategies 2
Which communication theory posits that people learn behaviors by observing others and the outcomes of those behaviors?