The culturalist theory suggests that the public primarily does what with mass media messages?

The culturalist theory posits that individuals actively engage with mass media messages, using them as a means to interpret and construct their own meanings rather than passively accepting or ignoring the information presented. This perspective emphasizes the role of audience agency and the idea that individuals bring their personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, and social contexts into their understanding of media content.

Individuals do not simply absorb media messages; instead, they filter and process the information, allowing for a diverse range of interpretations based on their unique perspectives. This active participation in meaning-making underscores the dynamic relationship between media and audiences, suggesting that interpretations can differ significantly among individuals, even when exposed to the same content. This reflects the complexity of cultural interactions and the power of personal context in shaping how media messages are understood and utilized.