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 SESSION A1: EXERCISE

HANG OUT YOUR DIRTY LINEN.

Select a facilitator and a recorder
The title of this exercise relates to the material you have been given. The wool represents a clothesline. The sheets of paper, your washing (you should record your views on these) and secure them to the clothesline with the blue-tack provided. Depending on your responses, some of the sheets may contain some titillating or erotic material. The workshop probably could do with some excitement about now.

(a) The purpose of the exercise is for the group to consider the sociological approach to the media termed 'Uses and Gratifications'. That is, the uses we put the media to, and the pleasures we obtain from the various media.

(b) To get discussion started, facilitator reads out the list supplied. Perhaps, pause after each item, to allow people respond with insights. These should be recorded on the sheets supplied.

(c) Each member of group should try to contribute at least two uses. Try to add a particular television programme, movie or radio programme that provided this gratification.

(d) Also, if you have time, consider the notion that, if the media do a great deal for us, what are they doing to us!

Sample gratification's list for discussion. I/We use the media:

· To be amused.
· To be informed.
· To see authority figures exalted or deflated.
· To find models to imitate.
· To experience empathy.
· To satisfy curiosity.
· To gain identity.
· To reinforce belief in justice.
· To see villains in action.
· To affirm moral, spiritual and cultural values.
· To see order imposed on the world.
· To see others make mistakes.
· To see how to behave socially.
· To reinforce belief in magic and the marvellous.
· To participate vicariously in history.
· To identify with the deity and the divine plan.
· To be purged of unpleasant emotions.
· To obtain outlets for sexual drives in a guilt-free context.
· To reinforce belief in romantic love.

Hang out results and ask one or two of the group to report back to main group.

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