The era of the limited effects perspective on mass communication theory began with what famous media event?
A) the sinking of the Titanic
B) the coming of talking pictures
C) the Orson Wells radio production of "The War of the Worlds"
D) the Frank Capra Why We Fight films

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The limited effects perspective on mass communication theory began with the Orson Wells radio production of "The War of the Worlds" in 1938. This broadcast caused panic among listeners who thought the fictional story was a real invasion of aliens. This event demonstrated that audiences were not as directly influenced by media messages as previously believed. It led researchers to question the powerful effects of media on the audience and introduced the idea that media effects were limited and complex.

The Era of the Limited Effects Perspective on Mass Communication