The gratification theory

The gratification theory is described as  a way of understanding mass communication. So this basically means the theory revolves around how people use media in there every day lives. Its how we use media, rather than what media does to us.  So for example when we find out some interesting news for instance when we find out football results or when we watch a good episode of a good television show we often go to our friends and discuss these issues, and this is a way of socialising. This is one of the main things people use media for, a way of initiating social interaction.


Also the gratification theory promotes a sense of belonging . So I decided to see if my magazine cover does this. The second draft of my magazine cover has a image of 3 students smiling. This promotes a sense of belonging because the the picture is very inventing and creates a friendly atmosphere.  Another intresting thing I discovered about the gratification theory is that people use media to fulfil there particular needs. So for example people who are interested in rap music will often listen to choice fm via the radio or Internet. This is something I want to put into my magazine, for instance on the front cover i could advertise music.


The next question I posed was what entertainment my magazine has to offer. In my magazine I will have a advertisements of competitions, I have already included this but it doesn't stand out enough because I put with the rest of the text in yellow, this means its hard to read.

What information was provided about my school's courses?
This is another thing  that isn't on my front cover, there isn't really information on what kind of courses my school offers. So its quite ambiguous in that department.