John Hartley developed a classification theory that identifies seven categories for understanding audiences: self, gender, age, class, ethnicity, family, and nation. Hartley was born in London and educated at Sir Roger Manwood’s school and the University of Wales, earning a Bachelor of Arts with honors in English Language and Literature. He has since had an academic career focusing on cultural science, publishing over 20 books and 200 papers on communication, journalism, media, and cultural studies.
2. THE HARTLEY CLASSIFICATION
John Hartley’s theory states that there are seven socially
grouped categories when it comes to identifying
audiences:
• Self – ambitions or interests of your audience
• Gender
• Age
• Class - different social classes e.g. working, upper etc.
• Ethnicity
• Family
• Nation
3. JOHN HARTLEY
John Hartley was born in London. He attended Sir Roger
Manwood’s school, and completed a Bachelor of Arts (with
honours) in English Language and Literature at the University of
Wales in 1975.
Since 2012, Hartley has been a Professor of Cultural Science
and Director for the Culture and Technology at Curtin University.
He is also the Professor of Journalism, Media and Cultural
Studies at Cardiff University.
Hartley has published over twenty books about communication,
journalism, media and cultural studies, and over two hundred
papers. His first book, Reading Television, was published in
1978. It sold over 100,000 copies in seven languages.
