Media - 30.2

Answer 1

Essay 5: Outline and explain two ways in which the middle class are represented within the media
1. Argument — Overrepresentation in Mainstream Media
Theory: Neo-Marxism
Sociologists: Jones, Lawler
Middle-class people dominate media production, resulting in overrepresentation (e.g., ‘Doctor Foster’). Jones argues media creates impression that everyone is middle class now, making middle-class norms seem universal.

Answer 2

2. Argument — Middle-Class Taste and Consumption
   Theory: Postmodernism
   Sociologist: Lawler
   Lawler states taste acts as a symbol of class identity. Middle-class media portrayals emphasise consumer choice, shaping identity through lifestyle and cultural capital, reinforcing aspirational values.
   .

Answer 3

3. Evaluation — Pluralist Justification
   Theory: Pluralism
   Sociologist: McQuail
   McQuail suggests media content reflects the views and interests of the audience. Middle-class dominance reflects consumer demand, not elite ideology.

Answer 4

4. Evaluation — Working-Class Marginalisation
   Theory: Marxism
   Sociologist: Newman
   Contrast with underrepresentation of working-class families suggests media misrepresents Britain’s real social structure, fuelling false consciousness about class equality.

Answer 5

5. Evaluation — Content Driven by Commercialism
   Theory: Pluralism
   Sociologist: Curran
   Curran argues that the commercial nature of media means content is designed to attract middle-class consumers with disposable income.

Answer 6

6. Evaluation — Postmodern Fragmentation of Class
   Theory: Postmodernism
   Sociologist: Gauntlett
   Gauntlett suggests identities in the media are increasingly based on consumer choice and lifestyle, making class boundaries more fluid and less rigid.

Answer 7

Essay 6: Evaluate the view that the working class are negatively portrayed in the media
1. Argument — Symbolic Annihilation
Theory: Marxism
Sociologists: Gerbner, Newman
Gerbner argues working-class characters are symbolically annihilated from mainstream TV. Newman adds most portrayals focus on dysfunction (e.g., poverty, crime), reinforcing stigma.

Answer 8

2. Argument — Creation of False Class Consciousness
   Theory: Marxism
   Sociologists: Curran & Seaton
   Curran & Seaton argue working-class audiences are distracted by gossip, sport, and entertainment, avoiding structural critiques. Tabloids encourage passivity through mass culture.

Answer 9

3. Argument — Working-Class Deviance as Entertainment
   Theory: Marxism
   Sociologist: Weltman
   Media treats working-class culture as deviant entertainment (e.g., ‘chav’ stereotype), providing middle-class viewers with a sense of superiority and reinforcing capitalist hegemony.

Answer 10

4. Evaluation — Pluralist Market Demand
   Theory: Pluralism
   Sociologist: McRobbie
   McRobbie argues media reflects audience preferences. Working-class depictions are shaped by consumer demand, not elite conspiracy.

Answer 11

5. Evaluation — Sympathetic Representations Exist
   Theory: Pluralism
   Sociologist: Gauntlett
   Gauntlett notes some media content (e.g., ‘Made in Dagenham’) provides positive portrayals, challenging simplistic negative stereotypes.

Answer 12

6. Evaluation — Postmodern Blurring of Class
   Theory: Postmodernism
   Sociologist: Bauman
   Bauman argues modern identities are less determined by class and more by consumption patterns and lifestyle, reducing traditional class portrayals

Answer 13

Essay 7: Evaluate the view that media reinforces negative perceptions of poverty and the underclass
1. Argument — Symbolic Annihilation of Poverty
Theory: Neo-Marxism
Sociologist: McKendrick et al
Poverty is rarely discussed in depth. McKendrick found minimal coverage of causes or consequences in UK media, reflecting elite priorities over social realism._________

Answer 14

2. Argument — Stigmatising Language and Labels
   Theory: Interactionism
   Sociologists: Macdonald, Lawler
   Terms like “chav” or “white trash” stereotype the poor as undeserving. Lawler argues media language reinforces social stigma and class prejudice.
   _______________________________

Answer 15

3. Argument — Reality TV and Poverty Porn
   Theory: Marxism
   Sociologist: Weltman
   Shows like ‘Benefits Street’ mock working-class lifestyles. Weltman says such depictions offer middle-class audiences a sense of superiority, reinforcing hegemony.

Answer 16

4. Evaluation — Tabloid Compassion in Crisis
   Theory: Pluralism
   Sociologist: Philo
   Philo acknowledges media can create compassionate narratives, such as viral tabloid campaigns supporting individual victims of poverty or injustice.

Answer 17

5. Evaluation — Postmodern Critique of Class Focus
   Theory: Postmodernism
   Sociologist: Strinati
   Strinati argues postmodern societies no longer operate under clear class divisions, and media reflects a mix of fragmented consumer identities.

Answer 18

6. Evaluation — Social Media Resistance
   Theory: New Media Theory/Postmodernism
   Sociologist: Jenkins
   Jenkins highlights participatory culture, where new media empowers marginalised voices to counter traditional stereotypes and influence representation.

Answer 19

Essay 5: Evaluate the view that homosexuality is portrayed as a deviant sexual identity in the media
1. . Argument — Invisibility of Homosexuality in Mainstream Media
Theory: Interactionism
Sociologists: Batchelor, Dyer, Craig
Batchelor found gay relationships rarely appear in youth TV. Dyer argues media only depicts signs of gayness in ways that are stereotypical or mocking. Craig adds these signs reduce gay men to deviant or comic roles, reinforcing stigma.

Answer 20

2. Argument — Symbolic Annihilation of Homosexuality
   Theory: Interactionism
   Sociologists: Stonewall, LGBT.co.uk, Craig
   Stonewall found only 46 mins of realistic LGBT content in over 126 hours of programming. Craig notes the dominant trope is the unthreatening, middle-class gay best friend, sidelining diversity within LGBTQ+ identities.

Answer 21

3. Argument — Moral Panics and Othering of LGBTQ+ Individuals
   Theory: Interactionism
   Sociologists: Cohen, Hall
   Cohen’s moral panic theory applies to AIDS hysteria in 1980s media. Hall’s ‘Othering’ explains how homosexuality was constructed as deviant. For example, EastEnders’ storyline countered tabloid AIDS moral panics but couldn’t reverse dominant media narratives.

Answer 22

4. Evaluation — Increased LGBT Diversity and Visibility
   Theory: Postmodernism
   Sociologists: Gauntlett, BBC
   Gauntlett argues that sexual identities are becoming fluid in a media-saturated society. The BBC now includes LGBT youth content, e.g. “The Next Step” aired a same-sex kiss in 2020 to normalize positive representations.

Answer 23

5. Evaluation — The Rise of the Pink Economy
   Theory: Pluralism
   Sociologists: Sender, Adorno
   Advertisers target affluent LGBTQ+ consumers (Sender calls this the ‘pink pound’). Adorno critiques this as ‘commodity fetishism,’ suggesting brands profit off identity while ignoring structural inequality.

Answer 24

6. Evaluation — Empowerment Through the New Media
   Theory: Postmodernism/Feminism
   Sociologists: Jenkins, Bates
   Jenkins notes user-generated content empowers marginalized groups. Bates’ Everyday Sexism project and PinkNews highlight how social media allows LGBT voices to self-represent, undermining traditional deviant portrayals.

Answer 25

Essay 6: Evaluate the view that the media creates moral panics around youth 1. Argument — Youth as Folk Devils and Moral Panic Triggers Theory: Interactionism Sociologists: Cohen, Hall Cohen argues youth are scapegoated in moral panics. Media exaggerates their behaviour to reassert social norms. Hall adds that black youth in particular are criminalised to deflect attention from state failures.

Answer 26

2. Argument — Victimisation and Crime Focus in Reporting Theory: Symbolic Interactionism Sociologists: Wayne et al. Wayne’s study of 2,000 news items found 82% of youth coverage involved crime or victimisation, with less than 1% including young people’s own voices. This frames youth as dangerous and voiceless.

Answer 27

3. Argument — Anti-Authority Stereotypes and Labelling Theory: Labelling Theory Sociologists: Becker, McRobbie Youth are frequently labelled as rebellious or disengaged. Media narratives contribute to a self-fulfilling prophecy. McRobbie’s concept of ‘bedroom culture’ shows media generalises and distorts girlhood as passive or deviant.

Answer 28

4. Evaluation — Youth-Centric New Media Platforms Theory: Postmodernism Sociologists: Jenkins, Gauntlett Jenkins highlights youth as media producers on TikTok and YouTube. Gauntlett suggests new media allows diverse youth expression, undermining monolithic moral panic narratives.

Answer 29

5. Evaluation — Class and Ethnicity Intersections in Youth Portrayal Theory: Neo-Marxism Sociologists: Hall, Van Dijk Youth portrayal often intersects with race and class. Hall’s “mugging” panic focused on black youth. Van Dijk shows ethnic minority teens often face over-criminalisation in the press.

Answer 30

6. Evaluation — Tabloid Sympathy in Specific Cases Theory: Pluralism Sociologist: Goffman Goffman’s stigma theory contrasts with instances where the media show sympathy, such as the viral refugee school attack in Yorkshire. Yet these cases often reflect audience sentiment rather than structural change.