Life in a small world: Applicability of gratification theory to information-seeking behavior

This research reports a study in which gratification theory (essentially, that certain populations live in an environment in which the emphasis is on immediate gratifications and satisfaction of needs) was applied to an information-seeking behavior of a lower-class population. The focus of the study was an investigation of the information-seeking behaviors of a lower-working class population. Respondents were janitorial workers at a southern university. Results show that, although members of this lower-working class population expressed a number of areas in which they needed information (e.g., employment, everyday coping advice, etc.), they were not active seekers of information outside of their most familiar social milieu. The findings indicate that a possible explanation for this was the perception that outside sources were not capable of responding to their concern. Thus, there was little motivation in exploring the relevance of these sources. Moreover, items of most interest to them were those things that were accessible, had a firm footing in everyday reality, and responded to some immediate, practical concern. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.