Monday, November 5, 2018

The uses and gratifications theory

Uses and gratifications theory 
The uses and gratification theory assumes audiences actively seek out media to satisfy individual needs,

4 uses - 
  • information
finding out about relevant events and conditions in immediate surroundings, society and around the world. Seeking advice on practical matters or opinion and decisions/choices. Satisfy curiosity and general interest, learning, self education. For example: documentaries and newspapers.

  • personal identity 
Finding reinforcement for personal values, finding models of behaviour, identifying with valued others (in the media) and gaining insight into ones self. Clothes and shoes on Instagram.
  • integration and social interaction 
Gaining insight into circumstances or others (social empathy) identifying with others and gaining a sense of belonging. Finding a basis for conversation or real life interactions. For example, discussing opinions about tv show plots like series so when a new episode comes out everyone talks about them like prison break.
  • entertainment 
Escapism or being diverted from problems

Relaxing

Filling time

Emotional release

Sexual gratification 
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1 comment:

  1. JCoSS Media DeptNovember 28, 2018 at 1:17 AM

    There's some great work within this blog post.
    You've noted down the theory itself, however you haven't included many specific media products that the theory can be applied to. You made a great reference to 'Prison Break', but can you think of any other texts?

    Also remember that when you reference a media text you must put it in quotation marks.

    Miss C

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