Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory — Eduqas GCSE Media Studies C680
Eduqas GCSE Media Studies · C680
Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory
Audiences
What you need to know
The theory's starting point: audiences actively use media products to meet their own needs, rather than products simply affecting them.
The needs it identifies: information, personal identity, social interaction and integration, and entertainment or escape, in the version of the list McQuail later set out, which Eduqas's guidance uses: a useful perspective, not a named requirement.
Applying the theory to the set products, such as why players choose Fortnite and listeners choose Desert Island Discs, and why fans visit artists' websites and social media.
Using the theory in audience answers only: in a question about industries it earns nothing.
The set products for 2027 and 2028 exams are the Vogue and GQ covers; the Man with the Golden Gun and No Time to Die posters; the Guardian of 18 January 2022 and the Sun of 1 January 2021 (2027 exams only), then the Guardian of 6 May 2025 and the Sun of 22 March 2025 (2028 exams); the Quality Street and NHS 111 adverts; the Sun, Desert Island Discs, No Time to Die and Fortnite for industries and audiences; Trigger Point with The Sweeney, or Man Like Mobeen or Modern Family with Friends; and Lizzo or Taylor Swift, Stormzy or Justin Bieber, and Rio or Waterfalls. This Girl Can, The Archers and Luther were last set for 2026 exams, so past questions on them are practice only.
