Critical Investigation- Theory

The theory that I will be investigating is audience theory which includes uses of gratification, the hypodermic needle, two step flows and reception theory.
From researching the hypodermic needle I found out that it suggests that the audience receive information through the media passively.

The link that can be drawn to my critical investigation is that the violence and drug dealing etc shown in gangster films could increase and promote the tendency for children to be involved in criminal activity. This could link back to the social aspect of SHEP, which demonstrates my wider knowledge of surrounding issues.

For the two-step flow theory, I can suggest that information provided by the gangster films, is passed on to opinion leaders unmediated, who then communicate it with the less active members of society. Therefore, the opinion leaders can mediate information to create their own meanings, as a result inaccurate information is passed on which creates a moral panic.

The reception theory affects the way many audiences receive the text. For example, men are more likely to respond to a gangster film, as all gangster films main protagonist is a male. Therefore they can use this as a form of identification, which links the receptions theory with uses and gratification.

Also, the older generation of audience will not really identify or cannot really relate to a younger protagonist. As a result, they will not be interested in consuming a text, which shows this.