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Hypodermic needle theory — AQA GCSE Media Studies Definition

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Media Studies
Key terms
Hypodermic needle theory

GCSE Media Studies · key term

Hypodermic needle theory

Definition

A theory proposing that media messages directly affect a passive audience, with little resistance or variation in response.

Used by AQA

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE Media Studies · 8572

Paper 1, Paper 2

Revise: Active and passive audiences, interpretation and response

AQA Media Studies past papers

Related key terms

Aberrant reading
Active audience
Audience interpretation
Audience positioning
Audience response

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Cultivation theory

Passive audience