Reception Theory

Reception Theory

Define the theory in your own words.

In terms of the reception theory this is how individuals receive and interpret text that is influenced by their cultural background, upbringing or their life experiences. Its when the individual decides what the text means to them. The reception theory is broken down into different parts such as the preferred, oppositional or negotiated.

Preferred reading

Preferred reading this is when the producer’s uses codes of conduct that draw upon and support the audience expectations. That lead the audiences to accept the dominant values within the text.

Negotiated reading

In terms of the negotiating reading this is when the individual has a choice, to whether accept the reading on his or her own or to simply reject it altogether. The audience might watch the film or read the text but might not accept aspects in the film/texts. They may argue against points about something that might not be represented fairly in their point of view.

Oppositional reading

Oppositional reading also known as radical response, this is when someone watches or reads a text, but the individual completely rejects what they have consumed of a dominant code and the social values.

Aberrant reading

Aberrant reading this is where the audience interprets a completely different meaning from what the text was actually intending to mean. This could be to the fact that the individual doesn’t share the same values of the text. Another reason could be due to the individual’s upbringing, life experiences or cultural background that is why the individual might interpret the wrong message that the text is meant to convey.


Why might your theory be used to analyse gangster film?

The reception theory might be used to find out how individuals might react to aspects in the film, and what their personal influences might be on it. For example their cultural background and life experiences might be influential. It might be used to see how individuals from the audience interpret and receive the text and see what conventions and codes in the film means to them. For example violence, death and drugs, they choose whether to accept the content or not. The theory might also be used to see whether the audience gets the intended meaning of the text or if they receive an entirely different meaning. In addition it might also be used to see if the audience understand the text that is consistent with the aspects and intentions of the producers.



Apply your theory to City of God and Scarface, what message do each of the films convey about money, power, crime and violence.


In relations to Scarface money convey the message that with more money brings more power and respect. In this film money was a constant factor, it was something that either people had or something that people wanted, it played a huge influence on people and their way of life. In anchorage to the reception theory people from the audience might interpret their own views on what money means to them, due to cultural upbringings and life experiences money could mean something of a high value. Or to some people in the audience money could be something that people think should be earned and should be valued. Where as for City of God money wasn't used in the same way as in Scarface. Even when characters had money they didn't use it in the conventional way. They didn't seem to value it very much they focused more on power, crime and violence. In City of God crime was seen as either a game to be played or it was something to make your way to the top to gain power and respect. In the sense of the reception theory again people could choose to accept this factor or not they could argue that crime and violence doesn't get you power or respect and in the end all it gets you is death and destruction. In addition in both of the film it didn't matter how much money the characters had it didn't bring them happiness, they always wanted more maybe to fill the void such as more power and drugs. In both of the films women conveyed the message that women are sexual objects or either weak characters. The optional reading I think would come in here, I think women in particular would completely reject this message being conveyed to the audience.