In contrast to mechanistic views, writers have suggested functional and psychological views of media influence. This chapter will consider the psychological and functional roots of uses and gratifications, the objectives and functions of the paradigm, and the evolution of uses-and-gratifications research. Then, it addresses the links between media uses and effects, focusing on audience activity and media orientations, dependency and functional alternatives, and social and psychological circumstances. Lastly, it considers some directions, especially as linked to personal involvement and parasocial interaction