功能主义传播观批判:再论使用满足理论

Criticism of the Functionalism Communication Concept:Revisiting the "Use and Gratifications Theory"

在美国传播学史上,"使用与满足理论"有着特殊重要的地位。然而,"使用满足理论"始终只能停留于现象的概括和归纳,而无法成长为一种真正的传播理论。从学术史的角度来看,该理论的前提——受众是否具有主体性需求一直是存在争议的。而从技术哲学的角度来看,该理论的功能主义媒介观导致研究者简化了媒介与受众互相建构的存在关系,将传播学议题转化为社会心理学议题,影响了传播研究的深入开展。

The 'Use and Gratifications Theory' has played an extremely important role during the history of Communication Studies in America. However, the theory remains only an form of generalization and induction of phenomenon, which cannot grow up into a mature communication theory. In the academic history, the premise of the theory—whether audience have the subjectivity demand—has been controversial for a long time. From the perspective of the philosophy of technology, the functionalism media concept imbedded in this theory made researchers streamline the 'Being' relationship constructed by media and audience mutually. As a result, the theory converted the communication issue into a social psychological issue and influenced on the further development of communication studies.