Small Group Communication – Case study

On the day before Halloween, on Oct. 30, 1938,War of the Worlds

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, a radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ science fiction classic, was featured by Mercury Theatre on the Air. Millions of Americans tuned in to listen to the popular radio program that showcased plays that were directed by, and sometimes starred, Orson Welles.

Welles wanted to increase the dramatic impact of the book, so as he adapted the book for radio, he decided to have it performed like a news broadcast about an invasion from Mars. When the broadcast aired, some listeners believed they were hearing a genuine news account about an invasion from Mars. People flooded the streets, hid in cellars, loaded firearms and prepared to defend themselves against aliens.

:Listen to the War of the Worlds broadcast on youtube before doing this assignment. Once you have considered your responses to the questions listed below you can submit this assignment as a file upload or as text entry in the space provided. Your responses should be organized and should be written in complete sentences.

Once you have listened to the broadcast, do some online research and discover how the 3 Theories listed below are defined.

· Magic Bullet

· Two Step Flow and Diffusion of Information Theory

· Agenda Setting Theory

After listening to the War of the Worlds broadcast:

1. Explain which of the above theories you think was exhibited in the radio broadcast and its after effects and give at least 2 reasons for your choice.

2. What 2 elements of the broadcast (be sure to describe specific segments from the broadcast) would seem powerful enough to create the effects on the audience?

3. Could the events that unfolded after the War of the Worlds broadcast happen today. Why or why not?

4. What are the main ideas provided by each of the 3 theories noted above?

5. Which of the theories noted above do you think might apply most  to small group communication? Explain your response.