Audience Theory: Blog Tasks

Hypodermic needle model:

1)
The daily mail supports the hypodermic needle model by stating that people are learning behavioural traits from video games. They believe that when people are playing at least 20 minutes of violent games per day, it influences them to act more aggressive in real life.

2)
Throughout the front page of the newspaper, the idea of the hacker being extremely young is emphasised upon. By describing the 15 year old as a 'violent video game addict' makes him sound as if the violent game had taken over his mind ad actions. This is exactly what the hypodermic needle model is. Some people may argue that the child was only 15 years old therefore easily influenced because of the lack of growth of the mind.

Two-step flow model:

1)
The two-step flow model is a theory that people are more influenced by other people compared to the media. I think that this model still applies to us in todays society as we constantly are listening to what other people say and acting in a certain way because of that.

2)
In the two-step flow model, there is a role called opinion leaders. Total biscuit is an opinion leader based on YouTube who has 2 million subscribers. Due to the number of subscribers, you can say that they have successfully influenced around 2 million people through YouTube.

3)
I would say that the most tweeted twitters have a huge impact on people. I would also say that yes they could be see as opinion leaders however due to the amount of people who comment on their posts or quote their posts, opinions could change in a matter of instances. They would have a very good initial impact on their audiences, however, over time, there may be more and more comments that disagree which sways some of your audience.

4)
Jamal Edwards was a youtuber posting music videos on his YouTube to get appoint certain points/ messages. This ended up being his first step to success. Through time his fame grew and now owns his own company worth at least £8 million. This shows people that skills are important to start up but to build on what you have and to extend further, knowing how to captivate your audience and peruse for better is what really needs to be done. His success has influenced many people, not his videos but him as a person and the way he is.

Uses and gratifications theory:

1)

Diversion:
Spirited away - Spirited away is a fantasy film about supernatural beings. This idea of super naturals in an amusement park is what takes people out of reality and into the world of the movie and make it a good media text for a quick getaway from stress.

Personal relationships:
A silent voice - This movie is about a student who has impaired hearing who gets bullied at school constantly to the point where she decides to transfer schools. For the audience members, they may form that bond with her through the feeling of being sorry for her. The audience member pity's the character and starts to notice them more.

Personal identity:
Waterloo road - Based on real life which allows audience members related to certain scenarios that occur in the drama.

Surveillance:
BBC news - People will watch this to get updates on what goes around in the world. Since BBC is a widely know news channel, people will trust it more easily therefore be more willing to believe what is said on it.

Dependency theory:

1)
I believe that yes people have become more dependant on the media especially as time goes on and technology advances. More and better tech is out with new and more features where media can be shared. Apps like snapchat, Instagram, twitter are all examples of social media apps where huge numbers of people are posting their viewpoints on different topics.

2)
The growth of new and digital technology has clearly had a huge impact on people today. With more people on social media apps, more people are idolizing certain celebrities and acting in certain ways to act like whoever. Just 20 years ago, people wouldn't have even known what social media was but in the last 20 years technology has evolved so much that you will see people ages ranging from 10 to 70 using technology in some shape or form.

3)
Technology has had an impact on me but I don't think that media has had too much of an impact on me. Although I am constantly on my computer or phone, I don't think that I follow the media that much. I choose what I want to read and whether to believe it or not. I think that some media effects me but only if I choose to.