Audience Theories

 Audience Theories

Audiences may consume different types of media because they could find it entertaining or informative. It may also be to distract yourself or as a form of escapism, as well as creating and feeling social interactions. It can also be used to help inform your own personal identity by relating to a piece of media or character

Uses and gratification theory.

Uses and gratification theory states that there are four different needs that audiences have, which they try to fulfil through media products. The most basic is escapism/diversion, where an audience is looking for entertainment and excitement. Another is the want for personal relationships and social interaction, both through looking vicariously at character relationships, as well as providing a topic for socialisation and discussion in the real world. Audiences also want access to surveillance (information) both through informative media and by looking at how other people live and interact. Finally, people use media to try and better understand their own personal identity. This can be through relatable situations, or through identifying with different characters and their personalities.