Theory of selectivity based on categories
Its essentials proposition of the theory can be summarized in the following terms
- The media present message to the members of the mass society but they are received and interpreted selectively
- An important basis of the selectivity lies in the location of the individuals in the differentiated social structure
- That social structure is composed of numerous categories of people defined by such factors s age, sex, income, education, and occupations
- Pattern of media attention and response are shaped by the factors and that defined these categories making response to mass communication somewhat similar in each.
- Thus, the effect of the mass media neither uniform powerful nor direct, but are selective and limited by social category influence
- For example, even in selectivity the choices are categorized for example a rich person can eat in five-star hotel but poor cannot. The selection depends on caste, religion, etc. The rich can afford luxurious garments but poor cannot afford.