Representation
- 2. REPRESENTATION Representation – How groups, individuals, institutions or social changes are portrayed through the media; how they are re - presented . The way someone or something is represented is not necessarily reality . For example you may feel the representation of your academic performance in your last report does not reflect reality . Although I would beg to differ!! Representations can often be subjective rather than objective and are constructed.
- 3. REPRESENTATION Reality The real world Mediation The process of producing the media text. Representation The text itself. A ‘representation’ of the real world.
- 4. REPRESENTATION Key points to consider in terms of representation What is being represented ? How is it being represented ? Who is responsible for the representation ? How can the representation be interpreted? You will need to consider the above in discussing representation in TV Drama.
- 5. STEREOTYPES Stereotyping is an important concept in terms of representation. Stereotypes act as a short hand by which we can more easily understand a representation. Activity: Write a list of things you associate with ‘New York’. Then do the same for ‘Students’ Compare your list with a neighbour. Your list will almost certainly contain some ‘stereotypical’ assumptions. Stereotypes are assumptions that have reached some form of consensus amongst a particular social group or culture Stereotypes can be misleading but people often assume that stereotypes are automatically false. This is not necessarily the case!!
- 6. MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT STEREOTYPING (TESSA PERKINS) That stereotypes are always false (it has been argued that they sometimes contain an element of ‘truth’ although ‘truth’ is always incredibly difficult to establish) That they are about other people That they only concern minority or oppressed groups That they are simple That they are rigid and do not change That people either accept or reject stereotypes The way in which stereotypes emerge is a complex process and can vary according to different cultures and social groups. Stereotypes are ‘ socially constructed ’ and exist as ‘ myths ’ (see handout on Barthes and ‘myth’) and are neither ‘true’ nor ‘false’ but simply a reflection of dominant ideologies. Stereotypes can be. reinforced challenged or even constructed by the media through representation
- 7. ACTIVITY : COMPILE A LIST OF WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE STEREOTYPICAL ASSUMPTIONS ACCORDING TO GENDER Male Female
- 8. THE ‘DUMB BLONDE’ STEREOTYPE A common gender stereotype is that of the ‘dumb’ blonde. Gillian Swanson has described the elements of this stereotype as follows: ‘ strange’ logic innocence and naivety manipulativeness humour a body that is emphasised a childlike nature adult ‘knowingness’ and seductiveness
- 9. THE ‘MACHO MAN’ STEREOTYPE Another common gender stereotype is that of the ‘macho’ man. Nick Lacey has described the elements of this stereotype as follows: physical strength below average intelligence ‘ neanderthal’ attitude towards women conservative political views sexually attractive As you may have noticed there are some contradictory elements to both these stereotypes. What are they and what does this indicate?
- 10. ACTIVITY :. HOW IS ______REPRESENTED IN THE SEQUENCE FROM ______ ? TO WHAT EXTENT ARE THESE REPRESENTATIONS STEREOTYPICAL?