What is the name of the theory that looks at the impact of advertising and voter campaigns on behavior?

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The identification of "Effects theory" as the correct answer highlights a focus on understanding how various forms of communication, such as advertising and voter campaigns, influence individuals’ attitudes and behaviors. This theory investigates the direct impact that media messages have on audiences, which includes how they shape perceptions, inform decision-making, and potentially alter social behavior.

Effects theory encompasses a variety of models, including but not limited to the hypodermic needle model, which suggests that media messages directly affect audiences, and more nuanced perspectives that consider factors such as audience interpretation and individual differences. This theory is particularly relevant in the context of campaigns, as it looks at both short-term and long-term effects on voter behavior, highlighting how persuasive messages can mobilize or demobilize voters.

The other theories listed do not specifically focus on the impact of advertising and voter campaigns in the same way. Cultural theory might examine the broader cultural influences on communication, while interaction theory tends to focus on the dynamics of communication between individuals rather than mass media effects. Interpretation theory emphasizes how individuals make sense of messages, but it does not directly address the behavioral outcomes resulting from those messages. Thus, Effects theory is most aligned with the impact of advertising and voter campaigns on behavior.

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