Audience theory 1

 Hypodermic needle model

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

It is saying that after playing a certain type of video game for a while will alternate your behaviour and personality, In this case a violent video creates a violent and aggressive personality.

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? 

It links to the theory becasue, again, it suggest the teen is violent because it plays the video game all day. Someone might criticize this because they reject the idea that the its the video games fault and would problem question the parent of the child' way of parenting.

3) What do you think of the hypodermic needle theory? Do audiences believe everything they see in the media?

I do agree that it is ignorant and assume that audiences believe everything on the internet, as it is completely denying the fact that people have a mind of their own and can notice and decide for themselves whether or not something is believable.

Two-step flow model

1) Summarise the two-step flow model. What is an opinion leader?

Audiences don't believe everything they see on the media. Instead they believe opinion leaders, these are people who they deem as trustworthy or seem to be trustworthy and believe their word.

2) How do celebrities like Taylor Swift fit into the two-step flow model? 

She is seen as an opinion leader for most as she is also considered an influencer with her huge fan =base who will do absolutely anything for her.

3) In your opinion, is the two-step flow theory still relevant today?

yes, people do pick and choose who to believe on the internet. Thy'd completely dismiss one person for saying something but if someone they consider an 'opinion leader' says the same they're entire opinion on it will change.

Uses and Gratifications theory

1) For each of the four categories, write about one media text (e.g. film, TV programme, newspaper etc.) that fits that particular audience use or pleasure. Make sure you explain WHY it fits the category and use images or clips to illustrate your points. The first one is done for you.

Diversion: Film - Blinded By The Light. Entertaining and offering escapism for fans of Bruce Springsteen or anyone that enjoys coming of age films or culture-clash comedies.

Personal Relationships: Tv programme, Love Island. Showing different people get into relationships and feeds and empty hole in the audiences heart.

Personal Identity: Newspaper- The guardian. Agrees with that they produce and write about.

Surveillance: Newspaper- Daily mail. Informs what is happening around at the moment.

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? Yes, many people work from home now or just have to store all their information and work on a device, on the internet for work or school and if that ever went down a lot of things would go lost.

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? It changed it by allowing them to be able to put every personal detail on it, but also allows people to connect through to other people, making new friends or relationships or getting inspiration from others. For it to be considered a problem depends on how the individual person is using the media.

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? What is your average screentime and how does this impact on your mood? I use the media for entertainment and communicating with friends so overall it has a positive impact on me as I am only getting joy from how I intake the media. So, overall, it hasn't had a negative impression on my mental health. Although, my screen time is very high, i dont like to see it so I turned it off from tracking but i'd assume it is a big number.