The Hypodermic Needle Theory

Read this resource explaining the hypodermic needle theory:

Make notes and find at least five interesting points about the theory.

This audience effects model of media was a popular way of thinking about the media's effects on audiences in the 1930s and 1940s, until the late 1950s when Lazarsfeld and Katz developed their Two Step Flow theory of audience effects. (As opposed to the single step suggested by the hypodermic needle theory.) 

TASK:
What examples can you find that indicate the BBFC used the hypodermic needle theory as a basis for their regulation of the film industry. Explain how the theory could explain or impact on the BBFC's decisions.

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/education-resources/student-guide/bbfc-history/1950s

RESEARCH TASK:

The hypodermic needle theory and it's suggestion that audiences are affected by media products directly maybe seen now as too simplistic, but we can see it's origins in Gerbner's cultivation theory. And in McCombs and Shaw's agenda setting theory. These theories are part of the effects tradition, because they suggest media has direct effects on its audiences. Find out more about these two theories, and how you think they impact on media regulation 
a) today
b) in the past
c) in the future