Question

According to which theory the audience is passive and the media messages can be injected into them?

• A. Uses & gratification theory
• B. Two-step flow model
• C. Hypodermic needle theory
• D. Propaganda

Hint:

Hint:
The word injected points to a needle and a syringe.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question describes a theory in which the audience does nothing on its own and simply takes in whatever the media sends. The message is said to be injected into people.

Step 2: Key Approach:
Early mass communication thinkers believed that media had a direct and powerful effect. We have to find which option carries this idea.

Step 3: Check option (1) Uses and gratification theory.
This theory says the audience is active. People choose media to meet their own needs, like information or fun. This is the opposite of a passive audience. So (1) is wrong.

Step 4: Check option (2) Two-step flow model.
This model says media messages first reach opinion leaders and then spread to others through them. The effect is not direct, and people discuss and filter the message. So (2) is wrong.

Step 5: Check option (3) Hypodermic needle theory.
A hypodermic needle puts medicine straight into the body. This theory says the media inject a message straight into a passive audience, and everybody reacts in the same way. This matches the question. So (3) is correct.

Step 6: Check option (4) Propaganda.
Propaganda is a method of spreading one-sided ideas to shape opinion. It is a practice, not a theory of audience behaviour. So (4) is wrong.

Final Answer:
The theory of a passive audience that gets messages injected is the Hypodermic needle theory, option (3). \[ \boxed{\text{Hypodermic needle theory}} \]