Mood Management Theory, developed by Zillmann in the 1980s, proposes that people engage in media consumption to regulate their emotions and mood. According to the theory, media consumption is an active and purposeful activity, where people seek to manage their emotions and mood, either by maintaining or enhancing their current mood or altering it (Zillmann, 1988). This theory has significant implications for media studies, as it highlights the importance of the media in shaping an individual’s emotions and mood.
However, some critics argue that the Mood Management Theory oversimplifies the relationship between media consumption and mood regulation. They suggest that the theory does not consider the complexity of human emotions and how different media forms may affect emotions and moods differently (Dillard & Shen, 2005). For example, listening to music may uplift one person’s mood, but it may not have any effect on another person’s mood. Similarly, watching a comedy film may make one person laugh, but it may have no effect on another person’s mood.
Moreover, critics suggest that the Mood Management Theory neglects the role of social and cultural factors in media consumption. People’s media consumption patterns are not solely based on their moods and emotions but are also influenced by social and cultural factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, among others (Dillard & Shen, 2005).
Furthermore, the Mood Management Theory lacks empirical evidence, and more research is needed to establish a direct relationship between media consumption and mood regulation. Although some studies have provided evidence for the Mood Management Theory, other studies have found no or weak evidence for the theory (Oliver & Bartsch, 2010).
Despite these criticisms, the Mood Management Theory has significant implications for media producers and advertisers. The theory suggests that media producers and advertisers can use media content to target specific emotions and moods to influence the audience’s behavior.
In conclusion, while the Mood Management Theory has significant implications for media studies, it has been criticized for oversimplifying the relationship between media consumption and mood regulation, neglecting the role of social and cultural factors in media consumption, and lacking empirical evidence. Further research is needed to examine the relationship between media consumption and mood regulation.
References:
Dillard, J. P., & Shen, L. (2005). On the nature of reactance and its role in persuasive health communication. Communication Monographs, 72(2), 144-168.
Oliver, M. B., & Bartsch, A. (2010). Appreciation as audience response: Exploring entertainment gratifications beyond hedonism. Human Communication Research, 36(1), 53-81.
Raney, A. A., & Bryant, J. (2006). Handbook of entertainment media. Routledge.
Zillmann, D. (1988). Mood management: Using entertainment to full advantage. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 32(2), 103-123.