Fundamentals and Effects of Knowledge Gap Theory on Human Society

SUBJECT an‎d OBJECTIVES: Knowledge gap theory is one of the theories related to the sphere of influence of mass media. The design of the knowledge gap theory initially included a simple relationship between the socio-economic status of individuals and the extent of the awareness gap between different groups. This means that the lower the socio-economic status of individuals, the less access they have to information, and vice versa; but later, it was not only the socio-economic base that determined people's access to information, but also their level of awareness of important issues related to social groups can be influenced by other variables such as people's interest or need for information. METHOD an‎d FINDING: A descriptive-analytical study of this issue shows that the gap knowledge theory does not mean the lower class is unaware of the available data and information, but claims that the growth of knowledge is relatively higher among high-ranking groups, and this information gap It will get deeper and deeper day by day. CONCLUSION: The basis of this theory is that the mass communication strengthens or increases the existing information inequalities. This research seeks to answer the question of what the theory of knowledge gap is and how its effects can be influenced by information inequalities.