How Audiences Use the Media
Changes in audience behaviour, from that of the passive, acted upon spectator, to a more active form of audience member, occurred as the audiences' use of media changed. According to audience theorists Blumler & Katz(1974), the audience member uses and consumes media in order to meet their own needs and wants in four different ways:
- Diversion- as escapism or emotional release.
- Personal Relationships- companionship with characters from television programs, as well as interaction with other people who may enjoy the same medium, such as a television show or film.
- Personal Identity- gaining perspective on one's own life through a comparison with the characters represented in the media, mainly television
- Surveillance- being able to see what else is happening all over the world.
