The Hypodermic Needle Model

The Hypodermic Needle Model is a communication theory suggesting that mass media messages are directly injected into audiences' minds, influencing their thoughts and behaviors uniformly. It assumes that viewers are passive recipients who absorb media content without critical analysis, leading to immediate and powerful effects. This model was used to explain how media could shape public opinion or behavior rapidly, but it’s now considered overly simplistic. Today, we recognize that audiences are more active, interpreting messages differently based on individual experiences and contexts.