Audience Theory Blog Task

Audience theory: blog tasks

Hypodermic needle model

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

The article links to the hypodermic needle model as it contains very subjective information about this topic. It also seems as if this newspaper is trying to give the point that video games have a negative effect on young people. As the hypodermic needle model suggests that the media injects information into the audience which could potentially be dangerous for them. The article seems to be injecting the idea that video games are bad for children which could be potentially dangerous for the video game market and put many companies out of business.

2) How does coverage of the Talk Talk hacking case link to the hypodermic needle model? Why might someone criticise this front page? 

This front page links to hypodermic needle model as the paper seems to be injecting the idea that it was the mothers fault and it was all down to bad parenting. They also link it to violent video games even though they have no solid proof that this was the cause, so it is more of an opinion then a statement which makes the newspaper bias. The criticism that the daily mail may receive from this is that they seem to not be presenting the facts clearly and leading the audience to believe something else. 

Two-step flow model

1) Summarise the two-step flow model. In your opinion, is the two-step flow theory still relevant today?
The two step flow theory is still relevant today in some aspects as in the media there is a certain group of institutions that have certain influences on certain topics and ideas in the media. This then goes onto to mediate how the audience reacts to certain ideas that are then presented in the media. As well as this, nowadays audiences are more consicious and make decisions according to how they believe they would like it to happen to them, which means they integrate their own ideas and social factors.

2) How does this YouTube blogger fit into the two-step flow model?

The youtube blogger 'total biscuit' fits into the two-step flow models as the opinion leader and he has a heavy influence of the audience, his viewers. Even though, his influence is only down to games he plays and reviews, it is still an influence and if he was too he would be able to influence audience ideas and views on other things possibly.

3) How this this Telegraph article on influential tweeters fit the two-step flow model?

 The article fits the two-step model because it shows us that Britain's public feel like they are most influenced by One Direction, a young music boy band. There are people on the list e.g. Richard Branson that have done more influential things than One Direction and contributed more to society, but because of their growing popularity among young people who use the app more then any other demographic and the fact that they themselves were teenagers when they rose to fame, it makes them more influential on this website.

4) Read this BBC profile of Jamal Edwards. How does Jamal Edwards link to the two-step flow model?

Jamal Edwards and the two-step flow model link well as we are told that he went from being an average teenager in a council estate to a multimillionaire and this runs as a message to the millions of viewers that he has. The fact that there have been several other similar channels set up in inspiration of SBTV shows this

Uses and Gratifications theory

1) For each of the four categories, write about one media text 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.

Diversion: escape from everyday problems and routine - entertainment.-

For diversion, I chose the new film Assassins creed which is based on a successful video game. This is a good example of diversion because it is easy to get lost in the film and focus on something much more entertaining and engaging than your everyday life. Furthermore, because it is based on a game both people that haven't  played the game and people that have can get lost in the storyline and try and relate the storyline back to the game.

Personal Relationships: using the media for emotional and other interaction (e.g. developing affection for characters in TV)-

For the personal relationship category, i have chosen how i met your mother which i think is a show with many lovable and relatable characters.The main protagonist is a hopeless romantic who his friends see as too trusting. He also seems to be more ahead of his friends in his interest therefore they class him as the groups 'granddad'. The other protagonist include a classic couple that have been with each other since college and have just got engaged. They both always seem to know what they want and even what there friends want even if there friends dont know. As the audience you begin to feel the same way towards them. The final two protagonists include a modern independant women who is trying to pursue her career as a journalist but also trying to jugggle her love life and other challenges such as being infertile. As the audience throughout the series she turns from a stale female to a relatable part of the show that you love. Finally, the last protagonist is a humourous businessman who is afraid of commitment due to previous heatbreak but has unstable realationships with many women. However, on several occasions in the series he falls in love and matures in these relationships and becomes more then just a character to laugh at. 

Personal Identity: finding ourselves reflected in texts or learning behaviour and values from the media. Reality TV or documentary (Educating Yorkshire) are good examples.-
I chose the exclusive documentary series from channel 4 'secret life of 4 year olds' because there are many oppurtunites to learn about different behaviours in the children. As well as this, many parents would be able to identify there children from the children in the show which makes it more enjoyable and also allows for them to see how to deal with such situations.

Surveillance: Information useful for living (e.g. Weather, traffic news, holiday bargains etc.)-

For Surveillance, I have chosen  the documentary 'Wanted Down Under'  - This reality ducumentary series is popular among many ABC class families who are planning on migrating to Australia for jobs or lifestylets etc. It is seen as a less intimidating way of house hunting or learn about the culture and the life that they would be changing to. As well as this it is easy for the audience watching to find out more if they see something they like in the shoe as they have a whole website dedicated to the migrating process in australia.