Audience Effects Theory

 1) Write a definition of a passive audience: 

An audience that is exposed to media/marketing material but doesn't actively engage with the content or messaging.

2) Write a definition of an active audience: 

Active is when an audience is engaging, interpreting, and responding to media messages and are able to question the message. 

3) Write a definition of the hypodermic needle theory: 

The Hypodermic Needle theory is a linear communication theory which suggests that a media message is injected directly into the brain of a passive, homogeneous audience. 

4) Write down a media product (e.g. TV show, newspaper or video game) for each category of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory and WHY it fits that particular audience use/gratification. The first one is done for you: 

INFORMATION/SURVEILLANCE: The Times newspaper
 > Why: It tells audiences important information about politics, the world and more.

PERSONAL IDENTITY:
 > Why:  the audience can sympathise with other people 

DIVERSION/ENTERTAINMENT: 
 > Why: The audience forgets all about reality when your watching a movie so it could help them feel more relaxed and comfortable. 

RELATIONSHIPS:
 > Why: The audience will feel as if they are not alone and they have someone to help them through life.

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). 

In the Blue planet video the gratifications that this clip offers to the audience are information / surveillance because this clip teaches us new facts about nature that we might not have known before watching it. Additionally, it also offers diversion and entertainment for the audience so they can watch this relaxing, calming clip. Lastly it offers the audience a social interaction as of relationships with the breathtaking visuals in the scene. They also shared relationships by showing how creatures underwater relate to each other, swimming with other creatures without hurting each other. A pleasure it offers to the audience would be vicarious pleasure as it gives the audience a chance to interact with what they are watching through narration.They also used Vicarious Pleasure where they showed how soothing it is to be underwater with the other creatures. In addition they used Voyeuristic Pleasure where they showed how to be in between the corals swaying, also shows the point of view of other creatures.Finally, the last pleasure it would offer the audience is visceral pleasure. this is because of the amazing thrill they would feel after watching a stunning showcase of nature.