A2 representation latest

Media Studies Key Concepts

Representation

Other Key Concepts we need to consider are …

Representation

• Media Language how was the representation created/mediated - denotation and connotation

• Institution and audience who is doing the representation and who is it aimed at?

• Theories and ideology deconstructing the representation and making sense of it

Things we need to consider

Representation

Who is being represented?In what way and by whom?

Things we need to consider

Representation

Who is being represented?In what way and by whom?

Why is the subject being represented in this way?Is the representation fair and accurate?

Mediation

Every time we encounter a media text, we are not seeing reality, but someone's version of it.

Representation

Mediation

Every time we encounter a media text, we are not seeing reality, but someone's version of it. This may seem obvious, but it is easily forgotten when we are enjoying a text.

Representation

MediationThree things to look out for....

Representation

MediationThree things to look out for....

• SELECTION

Representation

MediationThree things to look out for....

• SELECTION• ORGANISATION

Representation

MediationThree things to look out for....

• SELECTION• ORGANISATION• EMPHASIS

Representation

SELECTION

Whatever ends up on the screen, much more will have been left out.

Representation

ORGANISATION

Elements will be organised carefully in ways that real life is not.

Representation

ORGANISATION

This organisation of the material will result in…….emphasis

Representation

EMPHASIS

The audience is pushed towards concentrating on one aspect of the text and ignoring others.

Representation

This is mediation.Reality has been changed

Representation

This is mediation.Reality has been changed

It may not always be obviousbut it is always and inevitably the case

Representation

There are three ways of looking at representation. It can be considered as..

• Reflective• Intentional• Constructionist

Representation

Reflective When we represent something we are taking its true meaning and trying to create a replica of it in the mindof our audience - like a reflection.

This is a popular view of how news works - news producers take the truth of news events and simply present it to us as accurately as possible.

Representation

IntentionalThe most important thing is the person doing the representing. They are presenting their personal view and the words or images that they use mean whatthey intend them to mean.

According to this theory, if you see a picture of an attractive person drinking a can of Coke in an advert, it will have the same meaning to you as the advertiser intended – go and buy one. Representation

ConstructionistThis is really a response to what have been seen a weakness in the other two theories. Constructionists feel that a representation can never just be the truth, or the version of the truth that someone wants you to hear, since that is ignoring your ability as an individual to make up your own mind, as well as the influences of the society that you live in.

Representation

Representation is a mixture of…

• The thing itself• The opinions of the people doing the representation• The reaction of the individual to the representation

Representation

Dominant Ideology

Representation

Dominant ideology?

The ideas and beliefs that are adopted by the majority of the population and organsiations in a society.

Representation

Dominant ideology is reinforced every time a text is presented that represents the opinions and beliefs of the majority of people.It makes us comfortable to see our beliefs backed up by the media texts we consume

Representation

Dominant ideology?

The ideas and beliefs that are adopted by the majority of the population and organsiations in a society.Family, schools, government, church, media…

Representation

Dominant ideology?These beliefs are not static but change as new ideas are encountered and people discuss and embrace them. Over the years, representations are accepted or rejected by the majority of people and the dominant ideology is gradually changed.

Representation

This process of change is called…

Negotiation

Representation

Stereotypes

Representation

Representation

What is a stereotype?

A standardised, usually oversimplified, mental picture or attitude that is held in common by members of a group.

Stereotypes are potentially highly dangerous and can upsetminorities, but stereotyping itself is impossible to avoid.

Representation

Stereotypes are potentially highly dangerous and can upsetminorities, but stereotyping itself is impossible to avoid.It is a natural function of the human mind, something that we all do to help us make sense of the world around us.

Representation

Stereotyping…

is a natural function of the human mind - something thatwe all do to help us make sense of the world around us.

Representation

The four elements of a media stereotype

• appearance• behaviour• medium specific construction• contrast with normality

Representation

Appearance & behaviourThese are what we use everyday to stereotype people and are not media specific.

Representation

Appearance & behaviourThese are what we use everyday to stereotype people and are not media specific.

Typical aspects of this stereotyping would be physical appearance clothes, voice, attitude, age, etc.

Representation

Stereotypes

Media specific elementsOur expectations as an audience for anygiven genre and it’s conventions are well known to producers.

Stereotypes

Media specific elementsOur expectations as an audience for anygiven genre and it’s conventions are well known to producers.

They will build appropriate stereotypes to suit our expectations.

Stereotypes

Comparison with normalityThis is how we judge a stereotype

Stereotypes

Comparison with normalityThis is how we judge a stereotype

BUT…

Stereotypes

Comparison with normalityThis is how we judge a stereotype

BUT…

WHAT IS NORMAL?

Stereotypes

ARE YOU NORMAL ?

Stereotypes

ARE YOU NORMAL ?

ARE YOU A STEREOTYPE ?