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Audiences (the theoretical framework)
Quick questions on Media effects (Bandura and Gerbner) - OCR A-Level Media Studies audiences
4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is bandura?Show answer
Bandura's Bobo doll experiments showed children imitating aggression they had watched, supporting a relatively direct effect on behaviour. The conditions matter: identification with the model and reinforcement (seeing the behaviour rewarded) make imitation more likely, while punishment makes it less likely.
What is gerbner?Show answer
Gerbner's cultivation theory argues the effect is gradual, not immediate: long-term, repeated exposure to consistent media messages cultivates (slowly shapes) the audience's view of reality. His key concept is mean world syndrome: heavy viewers of violent content come to believe the world is more dangerous than it really is. Cultivation is about the slow shaping of beliefs and values over years, not a single act of imitation.
What is q1?Show answer
Explain what Gerbner means by "mean world syndrome". [5 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain how Bandura's social learning theory could apply to one set product or form. [10 marks]
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