Representation and StereotypesLauren, Nathan and Emma

Representation

Media representations are the ways in which the media portray particular groups, communities, experiences, ideas and topics from a particular ideological or value perspective. Rather than examining media representations as simply reflecting or mirroring reality.

Gender

Gender is represented in the media by masculinity or femininity. Both males and females can be represented as masculine or feminine.

Masculinity – strong, tough, muscly

Femininity – gracious, delicate, beauty

Age

Age is the length of time that one has existed. Age is represented by:

Babies

Children

Teenagers

Adults

The Elderly

Ethnicity

Ethnicity is the representation of race. Ethnic minorities are usually represented in four ways in the media:

Exotic – being foreign and ‘different’ is a key part of the medias representation of ethnicity

Dangerous – Ethnicity is also represented by the persons background.

Humorous – People with different ethnicities are usually classed as funny and happy

Pitied – different races are pitied in different ways whether that be because of smartness or poverty.

Sexuality

Sexuality is a persons sexual preference or orientation. Some examples of different sexualities would be:

Heterosexual

Homosexual

Bisexual

Asexual

Polysexual

Pansexual

Transsexual

Class and Status

Classes:

Upper Class: A social class composed of the wealthiest members of society.

Middle Class: A class situated in the middle of a social hierarchy.

Working Class: Those employed in the social tier.

Lower Class: Lower than a middle rank in a society.

Status: Somebody with a higher or lower status within a particular class.

Physical Ability/Disability

Physical Ability – The ability to perform a physical act and with the same mental ability.

Disability – The condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental inability.

For example a person may be missing a limb, be wheelchair bound, or able to walk and exercise.

Regional Identity

Regional identity is identification with a specific geographic region of a nation. Some examples if different regional identities are:

Northern

Southern

Eastern

Western

Stereotypes

A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Ethnicity

Different ethnic groups are subject to stereotype. Examples of this would be:

A Jamaican person would be stereotypically represented as a Rastafarian person who has little worries about life.

An English person would stereotypically have a stiff upper lip, enjoy drinking tea and be very patriotic towards Queen and Country.

Physical Ability/Disability

A physically able person would be stereotypically fit and able to take part in sporting activities.

Somebody who has a disability would stereotypically be segregated from society. The symptoms of the disability may be exaggerated for dramatic effect. For example, a mental illness and its symptoms may be exaggerated in order for the audience to be aware of the problems that the character is facing.

Verisimilitude