Audience Theory: Blog Task

Audience Theory 

Hypodermic Needle Theory: This is a theory that suggest that the audience has ideologies "injected" into them.

Two Step Flow Theory: This is a theory that suggest that "opinion leaders" influence the audience and help mediate the text.

TASK 1:

1) Read this Mail Online Article about the effects of video games. How does this article link to the Hypodermic Needle Theory?

This article suggests that audience are passive and that they have no control over how they consume media. It also suggests that the media consumer can easily be swayed. In addition to this it suggests that with teenagers developing and growing the are susceptible to influence. 

This relates to the Hypodermic Needle Theory as it suggests that the audience are passive and that they just take what is being said and do not challenge the dominant ideologies associated with the media they consume. 

2) How does coverage of the Talk Talk hacking case link to the Hypodermic Needle Theory? Why might someone criticise this front page?

This front cover links to the Hypodermic Needle Theory as there is no evidence to back the idea that the Talk Talk hacker was a "violent video game addict". It also links to the Hypodermic Needle Theory as it intends on gaining the support of the middle class. This is because the article is in the daily mail which is read mostly by white middle class people. The myth around the daily mail is that it enjoys causing a moral panic and by having a picture of a 15 year old teenager as their front cover with a negative headline would get the audience to instantly agree and not challenge what the dominant ideologies of the author are.

TASK 2: 

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 a theory that suggest that "opinion leaders" influence the audience and help mediate the text. I think in some cases this is true, this is because the "opinion leaders" share the same interests as the audience that observe them. Which as a result, would make the audience assume that they would have the audiences best interests at heart when uploading content.

On the other hand, it is not relevant today as some opinion leaders should only mediate the media when what the media is saying relates to their specific area of specialities. For example it would not be a good idea for a Youtube Gamer to be mediating the media if it relates to Politics because Youtube gaming and politics are different, the same way David Cameron and Borris Johnson should not be mediating the media when it comes to Gaming.  

2) How does this Telegraph article on influential tweeters fit the Two-Step Flow Theory.

This Telegraph article fits the Two-Step Flow Theory as it talks about how tweeters, youtubers and bloggers are gaining more followers then members of parliament which could suggests that if Liam Payne was to try and mediate the text he could effectively do it as he has more followers than David Cameron and Ed Miliband. This relates to the Two-Step Flow Theory as it suggests that "Opinion Leaders" could potentially cause an increase in votes certain political parties if they wanted.

3) Read this BBC profile of Jamal Edwards. How does Jamal Edwards link in to the Two-Step Flow Theory?

This article on Jamal Edwards suggests that he is an "Opinion Leader" as it shows him being as an aspirational role model. This links to the Two-Step Flow Theory as it says Jamal Edwards has been getting millions and millions of views and the fact that he was once put down could make him even more of an opinion leader as he went through more struggles than average youtubers and that is what some people require at the moment.

TASK 3:

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.