Uses and gratifications

Uses and gratifications is an approach to understanding why people actively seek out specific media outlets and content for gratification purposes. The theory discusses how users pro actively search for media that will not only meet a given need but enhance knowledge, social interactions and diversion.

Examples

If I was happy I would watch films such as:

•  The ringer
• Madagascar
• Ice- age

I would watch films like these because they are for a young audience so I know they wont be scary, they might be a little sad in some cases but there is always a happy ending because they are kids films. 

If I was sad I'm more likely to watch a sad film, maybe a romantic film with a heartbreak, not because I want to be more upset but because your emotion influences your choice of film, so if I was sad I would probably watch films such as:

• The notebook
• P.s I Love You 
• Remember me