Users and Gratification theory

1)

Diversion: escape from everyday problems and routine-entertainment

X Factor is an example of diversion as it is an escape for people. They can watch after a hard day and forget about the stresses they may have. The show helps them, in a sense, escape from reality because they are following the progress of peoples lives in their singing career.

Personal Relationships: using the media for emotional and other interaction (e.g. developing affection for characters in TV)

In the series Game Of Thrones, you can develop affection for the characters as they are often portrayed in a way were you can relate to them. The more you watch and get to know the individual characters, the more you begin to develop feelings towards them. These types of personal relations are mostly aimed at teenagers. 

Personal Identity: finding ourselves reflected in texts or learning behaviour and values from the media. Reality TV or documentary (Educating Yorkshire) are good examples.

The movie series Step Up, is a good way for people to find themselves as young ones may become interested in dancing and teamwork due to watching the film

Surveillance: Information useful for living (e.g weather, traffic news, holiday bargains etc. )

The Accurate Weather app is an easy way for people to be able to retrieve information about what the weather will be like on a certain day.

2) The article links to te hypodermic needle model as it suggests that the violent games that are being played seem to make people seem more aggressive as they begin to see the world as a hostile place. It is as if the media is injecting the violent information from the video games into the players mind.