Audience Theories

CopyCat- This theory relates to how some people tend to copy characters actions from movies. For example in 'a childs play' the final scene is very similar to the kidnapping of James Bulger by Thomson and Venables. They carried out the killing of the young boy in a similar way to which the film 'a childs play' finishes.

Hyperdermic Syringe- The audience wants to be filled with information from the programme.

Desensitisation- This is when the actions on screen effects the audience and makes them think about the actions in a more natural way. The audience begins to think that the scenes they are seeing are real and therefore acceptable in society.

Uses and Gratifaction (Blumer and Katz) - This is broken down into different audience pleasures. Diversion, Personal Identity, Personal Relationship and Surveillance. The theory refers to how the audience enjoy what they watch and how they share it with others.

Diversion- Fatboy from Eastenders could say something humurous and as a result it makes you laugh.

Surveillance- In one of the episodes of Eastenders there was olympic banners in the square advertising the Olympics. This makes the audience feel that they are up to date with current events and therefore receive an audience pleasure.

Personal Relationship- Hearing a Joke on Coronation Street and discussing it with your friend the day after.

Personal Identity- Different characters display different personalities as a result we can relate to there actions because it may be similar to something we have done or seen before. As a result we laugh because we have had the same thing happen to us.


Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Meeting a social need, and developing yourself.