The Hypodermic Needle Theory

The Hypodermic Needle Theory/Magic Bullet Theory was the first ever major effect on mass media on the general public. The theory suggests that the mass media can influence a very large audience directly with a ‘bullet’ to gain suitable terms and messages with a required response. For example, it’s telling the public that the mass media is a sender which directs information to the receiver also known as the audience. This is like an act of brainwashing a target audience without them able to question anything.

It started off in the 1020s, where the theory was based on the idea that media caused a direct impact on a viewer or audience. This tells us that an audience’s mind can be changed through what the media portray or through a message with no meaning. This can be related back to the use of a magic bullet as it can direct shooting to a viewers mind. Theorist believed that the media could be the reason for the public opinions and viewpoints being influenced on. One theorist who was popular was called Harold Lasswell where he said that the mass media could directly manipulate and affect a public opinion.

Overall, this information tells us that our own personal behaviours can vastly be influenced by the media. In my opinion, the theory can be true. In today’s society, I have witnessed people watch or read about the news and their viewpoint will change on how a person is portrayed by the media even if they were innocent in any given situation.

To sum-up the theory states that our behaviour is very strongly influenced by the mass media. So much, that if we see something e.g. violence (e.g. a movie) then we will want to carry out acts of violence ourselves. This theory may be out-dated but it is still popular in society as social-groups, politicians and even parents can blame video games and movies for the violence in some of the youth today. However, as time has progressed, as humans were are only getting stronger than ever and now in the 21^st century, people would have changed their viewpoints with there own freedom which can show that the theory itself is not that reliable.