Legal and ethical issues (Last question)

Hypodermic needle theory

 - This theory theorises that audiences are essentially passive, and will readily absorb messages relayed to them by the media.

- This means that, after watching a violent horror film or playing a violent POV shooter, audience members will be negatively influenced 

- This presupposes that audiences are passive rather than active 

Texas chainsaw massacre (1974)

- Some people argue that, as a result of increasingly violent media, audiences are becoming more Desensitised - that is, numbered by the effects of exposure

Moral panic - Stanley Cohen
- Someone, something ora group is defined as a threat to social terms or community interest.
- The threat is then depicted is a simple and recognisable symbol/form by this media


The stages of moral panic;
- VHS is introduced. Audiences are now allowed to rewind and rewatch films
- The Jamie Bulger case in the UK focused public attention on-screen violence
- Mary Whitehouse spearheads a campaign against screen violence; she gains wide support
- BBFC begins to censor movies




THEORIES FOR Q8 

- Anderson
- Mulvey
- Gauntlett
- Media effects
- Desensitisation


Mulvey

- Laura Mulvey came up the saying 'Male gaze'
- Only considered Male Gaze if women's features are highlighted
- This is for film in general
- 16% of directors are women
- women are essential in the film but are often have no real importance and are secondary to male


Desensitisation

- Nowadays we are less affected by media content then we once were
- Because of this there is an increase of violence amongst the youth