The key notes on representation:
- Representation is the process by which the media presents the ‘real world’ to an audience.
- Media texts are artificial, constructed versions of reality
- Even factual media – such as news – goes through processes of selection, organisation and editing that shapes its content
- How are particular people and groups represented in the media? How and why are stereotypes created?
- Why are certain social groups – in both a national and global context – under-represented or misrepresented?
Social and cultural context
Media texts are a construction of reality, and play an important role in the way we view the world.
Mediation
Media texts are a construction of reality, and play an important role in the way we view the world.
Mediation
Media texts are a construction of reality, and play an important role in the way we view the world.
Reality is therefore subject to mediation which is the process that takes place when a media text’s meaning is created.
When mediation takes place, an institution, individual or even technology comes between the actual event and the audience.
Stereotypes
Media messages have to be communicated quickly which often means relying on stereotypes. Stereotypes work as a kind of shorthand where a word, image or sound will stand for a lot more.
A stereotype is a standardised, usually oversimplified mental picture or attitude towards a person, group, place or event.
Stereotypes act like codes that give audiences a quick, common understanding of a person or group of people—usually relating to their gender, class, ethnicity or race, sexual orientation, social role or occupation.
Representation: dominant or alternative?
A representation in the media will either reinforce or challenge the stereotype.
If it reinforces the stereotype, it is a dominant representation.
If it challenges the stereotype, it is an alternative representation.
Representation: blog tasks
Create a new blogpost called 'Representation blog tasks'.
Read the Media Magazine feature 'Representation old and new'. This is in MM51 on page 6 - go to our Media Magazine archive to find the article. Complete the following tasks:
1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?
2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media?
3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words.
4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation?
5) How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media?
6) What example is provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?
7) Finally, think about this week's representation theories. Watch the trailer for classic action movie Taken and write an analysis of the representation of people, places and groups in the trailer using terminology and theories you have learned this week:
For example, negative representations of Eastern Europeans and women support Dyer's view that those with power stereotype those without power. It also reduces complex and varied groups to a few simplistic characteristics.
Our summary of each theory may help you here:
Dyer: stereotyping and power
Medhurst: value judgements
Perkins: some stereotypes can be positive or true
Mulvey: the male gaze
Levi-Strauss: representation and ideology
Read the Media Magazine feature 'Representation old and new'. This is in MM51 on page 6 - go to our Media Magazine archive to find the article. Complete the following tasks:
1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?
2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media?
3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words.
4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation?
5) How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media?
6) What example is provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?
7) Finally, think about this week's representation theories. Watch the trailer for classic action movie Taken and write an analysis of the representation of people, places and groups in the trailer using terminology and theories you have learned this week:
For example, negative representations of Eastern Europeans and women support Dyer's view that those with power stereotype those without power. It also reduces complex and varied groups to a few simplistic characteristics.
Our summary of each theory may help you here:
Dyer: stereotyping and power
Medhurst: value judgements
Perkins: some stereotypes can be positive or true
Mulvey: the male gaze
Levi-Strauss: representation and ideology
Complete for homework: due next week in double lesson
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