Audience theory

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

It says the playing violent video games consecutively increases the amount of aggression that people show but playing non violent video games does not and this supports the hypodermic needle model because it shows that seeing violence makes you violent.

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 says the the suspect is plays violent video games suggesting that that is why he is a suspect. Someone might criticise it because it seems as though they are placing the blame on the videogames. 

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

I think that it is wrong because it assumes that audiences are passive and they believe everything they see online which is not true

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

Audiences are influenced by opinion leaders who are people or companies that they trust like celebrities or news channels

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

They are opinion leaders and can cause their fanbase to believe certain things or to have certain views for example Taylor Swifts political endorsement 

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

I think that it is very relevant and people believe opinion leaders and trust them for example people believe the things that Trump says since he is an opinion leader but not because he is right

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 - People will watch sit coms continuously and even rewatch them to distract themselves or to relax this could also be personal relationships because of the returning characters. 

Personal Relationships - People, like me, will watch movies that they would usually never watch or enjoy just because their favourite actors are in them.

Personal Identity - People listen to music of certain genres and might dress a certain way or buy merchandise to show the genres they listen to.

Surveillance - Social media or magazines can offer surveillance for example you can learn about other peoples lives on social media and you can learn about fashion or gossip from magazines. 

1) Do you agree that audiences have become dependent on the media? What evidence or examples can you provide to support your view?

I agree because I think that everyone is use to having so much information always like if you have a question or you don't know how to do something you can google it or watch a tutorial, people use the media to decide their views, opinions and even choices they make.

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?

I don't think being dependent on technology is a bad thing and it should be used to make life easier but I think that it comes with issues like being able to access anything whatever age you are or hearing fake news and believing it.

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 screen time and how does this impact on your mood?

I think that if I feel sad and I see sad things online I get even more upset and because I watch the sad things or interact with them I end up seeing more of it but when I'm happy and I see happy things it makes me even more happy. I also think that the world looks a lot smaller in the media and you mostly see bad things so it makes you think everything is bad when it isn't. My screen time is 4 hours 10 minutes on my phone but it doesn't take into account my iPad or laptop so I think I need to spend less time on it or use my time on it more usefully instead of on social media.