Representation edited 2
- 1. Representation Theory and perspectives
- 2. Representation as Re-present The media do not simply reflect/mirror reality . The media create or re-present a new reality . The media mediate how we construct our lives
- 3. Traditional Notions of Representation (Stuart Hall) The concept of misrepresentation assumes that there is a true or fixed meaning The problem : meanings are constructed versus true or fixed Halls new meaning : the meaning depends on who controls the means of representation. Stuart Hall is Cultural Theorist and Sociologist and is one of the leading one of the leading British academics in his field.
- 4. Representation & media language Signifiers : images/actions/objects - House - Reading - Knife Signified : implied meaning of signifiers House = Wealth - Reading = Intelligence - Knife = kitchen implement or weapon.
- 5. Stereotypical Representations Stereotypes are short hand descriptions of characters but can be one dimensional and limited. Gender - males as heroes/females as helpless People of colour - as criminal Workplace - working class in factories/middle class in offices. Adolescents - troubled. Rural - as safe. Urban dangerous/sophisticated Families - mum, dad and two children
- 6. Stereotyping: Fixes/limits Meaning (Hall) Stereotypes limits the meanings assigned to groups Stereotypes shape perceptions of groups Stereotypes leaves out or over-generalizes meaning Contesting stereotypes by increasing diversity of images can open up new possibilities of identity