11) Audience theory 1

1)How does this article link to the hypodermic needle model?

This article links to the hypodermic needle model as it says that playing video games increases violent/aggressive behaviour in children which shows that they believe the violence for the games is being put into the children's mind and affecting their behaviour.

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? 

The front page links as it tries to blame the child's behaviour and actions on his 'addiction to violent games'. People might criticise this as the person that its talking about is 15 and still a child so talking about the child in this way could be looked down upon as it seems as though they're blaming everything on the media and not making the child accountable for his actions. 

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

I believe that the hypodermic needle theory is out dated and too basic to applied to all of society. It doesn't take into account anything about people such as their levels of education which could impact what they believe online and many other factors which could impact how they consume media.

Two Step Flow Model

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

The two step flow model suggests that there are opinion leaders (trusted professionals e.g. professors) who influence people and impact the way they consume media/which media they consume.

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

Taylor swift has a large fan base who trust her and her opinion due to her celebrity status so if she posts something it has the ability to change people’s thinking.

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

I believe it is still relevant as people don’t just trust the media but they do trust people they admire/respect so even though the people considered “opinion leaders” might have changed, the theory is still valid in my opinion. 

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: Love island - People are likely to form personal relationships with the people in the show and feel as though they’re living those relationships themselves.

Personal Identity: Ackley Bridge - This is a show about a high school in England and younger people are likely to relate to the characters as they find their own characteristics in the characters.

Surveillance: Weather App - People use this as a tool to tell them what the temperature/weather for the day so they know how to prepare.

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 agree as during covid we saw how people would use social media rather than the news to find out information and believed things such as the vaccine having brain control chips just because they saw it on tiktok or facebook. 

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 believe that the growth of technology has increased people’s dependency on media as it’s made media much more advanced and easily available.

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? 

I believe that my media consumption has a positive impact as my feed is full of inspirational videos that improve my health/wellbeing. 

10. Exam Feedback (Half Term 1)

 WWW: Brilliant start in first assessment 

     EBI: Add theories to get higher level 

             Social and cultural context

2+3 done in paper

4) Did you get any media terminology or theory wrong in the assessment? Make a note of it here for future revision, including theories/terminology that you could have used but didn't.

Neale - All genres contain repetition and difference

Abercrombie - More hybrid genres, people are playing with the idea of genre and using it in different and interesting new ways

Todorov - All narrative contains = equilibrium disequilibrium and new equilibrium 

Propp - Most media uses stereotypical characters to drive narrative

Shatz - Experimental stage, classic stage, parody and deconstruction (genre)

5) I believe my weakest question was question 1.

 I believe i could’ve improved it by:

• Using Todorov’s theory by discussing the potential disequilibrium suggested by the character looking off screen with a gun in his hand.

•Use shatz’s theory and discuss how it’s a genre of order as it has aspects of action and violence.

•Discuss which one of propp’s character types the character best resembled.