Audience Effects Theory

1) Write a definition of a passive audience:  
Audiences take in information from the media passively and the message is the same on everyone  


2) Write a definition of an active audience:
Is modern and that audiences interact with the information making choices regarding the media 

3) Write a definition of the hypodermic needle theory: 
The audiences are always passive and take in the intended meaning from the producer as it is injected in their minds

4) Write down a media product for each category of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory and WHY it fits that particular audience use/gratification: 

INFORMATION/SURVEILLANCE:  Documentary news
 > Why: It teach the audience about things they were unaware of and make them more knowledgeable

IDENTITY: Celebrities
 > Why:  Because people may connect with them and form relationships 

DIVERSION/ENTERTAINMENT: TV Shows 
 > Why: Take the audience in to a different world and is enjoyable to watch

RELATIONSHIPS: Reality TV Shows
 > Why: We interact with the characters caring about them and forming relationships. As they are long lasting these bonds make the audience feel sympathy for the characters

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). 

The audience pleasure of Blue Planet 2 is information/surveillance. This is because it teachs us about the sea and marine life. It is also entertains as it makes the audience curious and many even question there understanding of the topic. The clip might create visceral pleasure as the fish hunting on the prey can create physical thrills.