Uses and Gratifications Research

Public Opinion Quarterly

Elihu Katz

Jay G. Blumler

MICHAEL Gurevitch

Reviews theory and research on sources of need gratification provided by the mass media, including (a) the bifunctional view of need satisfaction (fantasist-escapist or informational-educational); (b) the 4-functional interpretation (surveillance, entertainment, cultural transmission, correlation); and (c) multi-functional view (diversion from routine, emotional release, companionship, personal identity, value reinforcement). 5 social factors that may generate media-related needs are discussed: tension and conflict reduction, information leading to the solution of problems, need satisfaction not present in real life, reinforcement of values, and provision of information necessary to maintain group membership. The roles of the media in reinforcing traditional values, providing feedback for performance of social roles, and satisfying creative and recreational impulses are also examined. (39 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

37

4

509-523

January 1, 1973

Public Opinion Quarterly

10.1086/268109

0033-362X