The document discusses the Uses and Gratifications theory of mass media. It outlines that this theory emerged in the 1940s-1970s as an alternative to theories that viewed audiences as passive. Uses and Gratifications posits that audiences are active and make choices about media based on needs and interests. Katz, Blumler, and Gurevitch refined the theory in 1974, identifying five categories of needs that drive media use: cognitive, affective, personal integrative, social integrative, and tension release. The theory examines why people choose certain media and what fulfillment they receive from it.