Audience effects theory: blog tasks

 

1) Write a definition of a passive audience: 

This is the belief that media messages are absorbed by audiences in a passive manner and that everyone is affected equally by them..

2) Write a definition of an active audience: 

This is the more mainstream and contemporary theory that says viewers engage with media and consciously choose what they consume.

3) Write a definition of the hypodermic needle theory: 

This implies that viewers are inherently passive and as a result, they process the producer's intended message as though it were an injection. This makes the assumption that everyone in the audience is the same. 

INFORMATION/SURVEILLANCE: The Times newspaper

> Why? Because it provides viewers with crucial knowledge about politics, the globe, and other topics.

PERSONAL IDENTITY:  TV shows such as Outer Banks

>Why? Because the main characters in the programme are teenagers, it is a show that teens can relate to.

DIVERSION/ENTERTAINMENT:  Netflix

>Why? Because it provides an entertainment outlet where viewers can unwind and enjoy the TV series and films of their choosing. 

RELATIONSHIPS: soap operas or reality TV shows such as keeping up with the Kardashians 

>Why? Because they feature well-known people that people eagerly watch

5) Re-watch the clip from Blue Planet above and write a paragraph analysing how elements of the clip offer the audience pleasures or gratifications (use media terminology from Uses and Gratifications theory and the 3 Vs - notes outlined above). 

The information and surveillance that this video provides to the audience comes from learning new things about nature that we may not have known before viewing it. It also provides pleasure and distraction for the viewers so they may watch this peaceful, quiet clip. Finally, it allows the viewer to engage socially through interactions with the scene's amazing sights. Vicarious pleasure is one of the pleasures it provides to the audience since it allows them to engage with what they are witnessing through narration. Visceral pleasure would be the final joy it would provide to the viewers. this is as a result of the incredible rush they would have following a breathtaking display of nature.