Audience theory

Audience theory: blog tasks

Hypodermic needle model

1) Read this Mail Online article about the effects of videogames. How does this article link to the hypodermic needle model?

 The article evidently shows that playing violent video games for 3 consecutive days increases aggression behaviour or develops short-term aggression. This links to the hypodermic needle model since it demonstrates that the media influences the ppl to do bad things 

2) How does coverage of the Talk Talk hacking case (see Daily Mail front page below) link to the hypodermic needle model? Why might someone criticise this front page?

This links to the hypodermic needle model since this 15 year old boy is addicted to videogames. This led to him doing illegal and criminal acts according to what the game GTA 5 has taught him. This reinforces the hypodermic needle model due to the violet act this boy has done. This evokes headlines in the news showcasing that the media influences you to do outrageous and criminal offenses. PPl will criticise this front page since this is not a surprise to the media due to the news having many scenarios like this therefore, ppl will agree that violent games d some sought of effect on a child's behaviour. 

 

Two-step flow model

1) Summarise the two-step flow model. In your opinion, is the two-step flow theory still relevant today?

 The two-step flow model instead suggests the audience are influenced by ‘opinion leaders’ in the media who mediate how the audience react to media texts. Many youtubers contribute to the two-step model since ppl who are subscribed to these youtubers, act in a similar way due to there aggrement to what there opinion is; this may be any statement in the news.

2) How does this YouTube blogger fit into the two-step flow model?
Totalbiscuit reinforces the two-step flow model since he creates podcasts relating to the news, random topics and real life situations. People may be influenced by this youtuber and start to commit bad things. People who are subscribed to him enjoy listening to what he says. If something is repeated constantly in your head, your more likely to remember and be influenced. This is also known as retention.

3) How this this Telegraph feature on Britain's most popular tweeters fit the two-step flow model? Do you think these accounts genuinely have an influence over their audience?
 In my opinion, i don't think this two-step model applies to this since the people will be getting influenced by the tweets on media,not by an actual person therefore, i think these popular tweeters reinforce the hypodermic needle model since the tweeters are apart of the media. Many people are convinced when it comes out from the person him self not behind tweets. 

4) Read this BBC profile of Jamal Edwards. How does Jamal Edwards link to the two-step flow model?
After reading BBC profile of jamal Edwards, i think he doesn't support the two-step flow model due to the genre of his rap music. There is so no personal identity or surveillance for the audience to learn from or be influenced by. Many people may disagree with my point and say he does support the two step model as he wants to deliver rap music, which has an impact on the audience and may change their mind on something. However, i believe his songs won't influence his audience to do bad things.

Uses and Gratifications theory

Diversion: Escape from everyday problems and routine. - Entertainment

Personal Relationships: Using the media for emotional and other interaction (E.g. developing affection for characters) 

Personal Identity: Finding ourselves reflected in the texts or learning behaviour and values from the media. - Reality TV

Surveillance: Information useful for living - Weather

Dependency theory

1) Do you agree that audiences have become dependent on the media? What evidence or examples can you provide to support your view?
I believe that the audience have become dependent on the media since many TV shows and movies and form emotions for the audience. Audience can reflect on an episode independently showing their personal thoughts and emotions on that specific media product. Using the uses and gratification theory, the tv show Waterloo road reinforces the theory as many students can have personal identity since the tv show is situated in a school. 

2) How has the growth of new and digital technology in the last 15 years changed people's dependency on the media? Is this a new problem?
15 years ago, many audiences relied on surveillance( information) this may happen to be the weather forecast etc etc. However, the growth of new and digital technology have enhanced peoples duration spent on the media suggesting these Uses and gratification could be the reason why. Diversion is new to the digital world since many media producers have created  TV shows where it makes you escape from reality. All these uses and gratification forces the audience to binge watch a TV programme.

3) Reflecting on your own media use, how does your media consumption impact on your emotions? Does the media have an overall positive or negative impact on your health and wellbeing? Why?
 Personally i am a very energetic person therefore, i'm always outside in the real world doing activities that will benefit my health. However, sometimes, only on cheat days, i rarely use the media when i don't have homework due which is never the case.