Audince theory
- 1. These are a group of people that are targeted for a certain type of product. The audience is an extremely important factor for companies to consider when producing and promoting their product, this is because the revenue and profit the business will make is dependent on how well the audience react to the product. Within the audience theory, there are a lot of different ways that are highlighted in which we should consider an audience as well how products can connect us with audience. There are three main theories that can be applied to give a deeper understanding of the relationship between the texts and audience. These include: • The hypodermic model or the effects model • The uses and gratifications model • The reception theory However there are more theories and theorists that also give a clearer insight to the audience.
- 2. The Effects or Hypodermic model This theory bases itself on the view that the consumption of media texts will have an effect or influence on the audience. In theory this model is considered negative as the audience are passive and powerless in terms of preventing the effect of influence, the way in which this model is presented is as if media in itself works as somewhat of a drug that gains the audiences addiction. This therefore means that the message within the text has the power. This theory was more recognised in the 1950s in America but was developed in the 1920s and 30s. In 1961 an experiment of this model was conducted by Albert Bandura to try and prove that children copy violent behaviour. This was known as the Bobo Doll experiment. Within this experiment children we made to watch a clip of an adult violently attacking a clown (Bobo Doll), they were then taken to a room with where they were normal ‘attractive’ toys which they didn’t touch. They were then taken into a room filled with Bobo Dolls, research then proved that 88% of children who were exposed to the video demonstrated similar violent behaviour. Further research into the same children then highlighted that 40% of the children showed the same violent behaviour in their actions towards different situations. This is a good example of the hypodermic model as it proves how media can have an impact an influence on viewers.
- 3. Theories of Cultural Effect This theory is relates to the effects that media has on audiences and society. Theorists have stated that media is one of the main causes of ‘Cultural Effects’. There are two theories that help give a better understanding of how media is supposed to influence the audience. Each of these two views originates from different political perspectives. The two views include ‘Right wing’ and the ‘Traditionally Left wing’. Right Wing – TV programmes that are usually shown in the late evening such as Geordie shore, Ex on the Beach, Big Brother and others are known to give a negative effect on the audience, this therefore deteriorates the audiences phycology and mental capabilities. This is also recognised as dumbing down. Traditionally Left wing –
- 4. Reception Theory This theory that was developed by Stuart Hall in the 1970s and is seen to be completely different as it doesn’t have ‘problems’ or ‘limitations’. This theory was different as it considered how texts were encoded by producers, then decoded by the audience. The reception theory suggests that a producer will construct a text that is encoded with meaning or a message that the audience is supposed to recognise. Stuart Hall identified three types categories in which the audience can decode the text: Dominate – this is where the audience decodes and understands the meaning or message that the producers wants them to and agrees with it to some extent. Negotiated – this is where the audience understands the message, then rejects or refines certain features of the text. Oppositional – this is where the dominate message is understood, however rejected due to cultural, political or ideological views.
- 5. Uses and Gratifications Theory The uses and gratifications theory was first introduced by Elihu Katz and is an approach to understand what audiences do with media texts as well as how and why they use them. This essentially means that the ‘power’ is with the audience, they are able to make the decisions on whether to reject, use or play with the meanings. This model is different to other theories such as the effects model as the audience is free to use the text rather than the text using them and are able to use the media text for their own gratification. The uses and gratifications theory suggests and targets to achieve on of the following: Identity – knowing a person form their appearance, for example actors, singers, role models and celebrities are recognised due to their personalised look. Audience can also empathize because of similar values. Educate – being able to take information from texts and increasing/developing the audiences understanding. Entertain – this is important as media products are there to entertain and interest audience as they may see it as a break or a sense of release. Social interaction – this allows the audience to interact with other audiences about the media product, to share views and opinions. This theory suggests that people use media to fulfil specific gratifications.