Uses and Gratification Model

Question 1

Who’s theory is this?

Answer 1

Blumler and Katz

Question 2

What is their theory?

Answer 2

Try to address the question of why we consume media texts with their Uses and Gratifications Model

Question 3

Reasons why we as an audience choose to watch media texts

Answer 3

Entertainment/Diversion
Surveillance
Personal Identity
Personal Relationships

Question 4

1 Entertainment/Diversion

Answer 4

Our everyday lives are so humdrum that we need some pure and simple escapism. A chance to turn our brains off from everyday stress and worries

Question 5

2 Surveillance

Answer 5

We consume media texts in order to satisfy our desire for information about the world around us and to keep up to date on events

Question 6

3 Personal Identity

Answer 6

We consume media texts to see our own values and ideologies reinforced as being socially acceptable or positive. We also consume media texts to take out cues about how to act in different social situations

Question 7

4 Personal Relationships

Answer 7

We consume media texts to either strengthen or replace our social relationships. If our lives are lacking relationships then we can enjoy the
vicariously through the character in a text. If we have plenty of relationships then we consume media texts in order to be able to discuss them with out friends in social situations ‘around the water cooler’