The Use of Media Entertainment and Emotional Gratification

Abstract

The use of entertainment media is often assumed to be motivated by individuals’ desire to experience emotions. Entertainment audiences want experiences that make them laugh or cry, or keep them at the edge of their seats. But why exactly do individuals seek emotional media experiences, and what types of gratifications do they obtain from such experiences? An overview of research on emotional gratifications shows that emotions can be gratifying on different levels ranging from simple hedonistic gratifications to more complex gratifications such as the satisfaction of social and cognitive needs. An integrative framework is outlined that aims at a more systematic understanding of emotional gratifications, and their influence on media use.

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