MEDIA BOOKLET 1:REPRESENTATIONS OF DIFFERENT SOCIAL GROUPS

Question 1

Representations of nationality

Mulhern

Answer 1

Irish are stereotyped in 2 ways. -Homesick and drinking bad Guinness while listening to bad ballads in north london. - Too successful to be homesick while making megabucks in the City, and reporting the good wealth home via skype.

Question 2

Representations of nationality

Vir, Hall and Foye

Answer 2

Found that those living in highlands feel underrepresented in media portrayal and coverage- bias of tv programmes who excluded “smaller locations”. The scottish person is always drunk and an abusive drunk at that.
Graham -Suggests that media can sometimes force other nationals into tv programmes leading to “tokenism”. In gavin and stacy - its all about portraying wales as thick.

Question 3

Representations of nationality

Vir, Hall and Foye

Answer 3

Found that in Wales, there was a perception that reality TV can be exploitative in their portrayal of the welsh in programmes such as Dirty Sanchez.

Question 4

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF ETHNICITY

Van Dijk

Answer 4

Studied media representations of ethnic groups in the UK. He used content analysis to examine symbols. He found that many groups were presented in a stereotyped way and particularly examined that way in which black people were stereotyped in the media as criminals, abnormal, a threat, dependent and unimportant.

Question 5

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF ETHNICITY

Malik

Answer 5

Found that the use of media and also the representations of minority ethnic groups was poor in contemporary society. She examined channel 4’s research that found that the majority of white British people found that broadcasters were reflecting multicultural Britain to a satisfactory level, yet other ethnic groups felt that contrasting this was done very poorly. Tokenism- practice of making only a symbolic effort to be inclusive to members of minority groups - e.g. token black from south park/ Stereotypes - widely held but fixed oversimplified image of an idea or a particular type of person.
And found that the culture of ethnic minority groups living in the UK was not depicted in a fair way due to the lack of black and asian people in positions of power.

Question 6

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF ETHNICITY

Barker

Answer 6

In eastenders it has been heavily criticised for stereotyping of ethnic minority groups. Asian and black characters being given the roles of doctors and shopkeepers. He said that characters were portrayed as having limited, stereotypical character traits as opposed to being multifaceted, complex people.

Question 7

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF ETHNICITY

Husband and Hartman

Answer 7

Operates in a culture where blacks are seen as inferior. The media emphasises racial conflict and problems and presents negative images of minority ethnics which increases problems.

Question 8

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF ETHNICITY

Hall

Answer 8

‘The white eye’ He states that there are three basic representations of blacks in media/cinema/TV were as natives, slaves and entertainers. Ethnicity is viewed through the white eye and interpreted through the grammar of race.

Question 9

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF ETHNICITY

Moghissi

Answer 9

Argues that Muslims are ‘huddled together’ by media, which ignores the huge range of differences between Muslims in class, beliefs and culture. Muslim culture has been overwhelmingly negative since 9/11.

Question 10

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF ETHNICITY

Children Now

Answer 10

Fair Play - Study that illustrates the continuation of gender and ethnic stereotypes in video games. 86% heroes were white 86% of black females were portrayed as victims of violence.

Question 11

CHANGING/POSITIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF ETHNICITY

Malik

Answer 11

Reality tv shows were increasingly more inclusive of ethnic minorities. Eg goggle box. Also found that there has been a shift in how ethnic minority groups are now depicted in alternative and new forms of media eg social media like youtube netflix and tiktok.

Question 12

CHANGING/POSITIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF ETHNICITY

Barker

Answer 12

Claimed that despite the stereotypical representation of minorities in Eastenders, it is slowly changing the way in which ethnic minorities are presented through its story lines. Barker points out that there are now a range of Asian and black characters that reflects the demographic of London more fairly than it used to. He states that it is important to note that ethnic minorities are given meaningful attention and stories.

Question 13

CHANGING/POSITIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF ETHNICITY

Hall

Answer 13

Makes comparisons between ‘overt racism’ and ‘inferential racism’ there are subtle improvements in which white media producers are at least trying to represent minorities in a more favourable way, even if they fail,

Question 14

HYBRIDITY

Gill

Answer 14

Blaisians and brasians

Question 15

Hybridity

Nayak

Answer 15

White wannabes

Question 16

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF FEMININITY

Tunstall

Answer 16

Argues that the media representations emphasise women’s domestic, sexual, consumer and marital activities to the exclusion of all else. The media generally ignores the fact that a majority of British women go out of work in comparison to men.

Question 17

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF FEMININITY

Tuchman

Answer 17

Argues that the narrow range of role for women lead to their ‘symbolic annihilation’ in the media. The concept refers to the phenomenon where the mass media omit, trivialise, or condemn certain groups that are not socially valued such as women. The media depicts traditional ideals of femininity as mothers, housewives and sex objects.

Question 18

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF FEMININITY

Ferguson

Answer 18

Cult of femininity. Women are presented as objects. conducted a content analysis of women’s magazines from the end of WWII to 1980 and found that representations were organised around what she called the cult of femininity, based on traditional, stereotypical female roles and values: caring for others, family, marriage, and concern for appearance. Ferguson noted that teenage magazines aimed at girls did offer a broader range of female representations, but there was still a focus on him, home and looking good for him.

Question 19

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF FEMININITY

Glascock

Answer 19

Studied the notion that when portrayed as aggressive in media text- males were more physically aggressive, whereas females were more verbally aggressive especially in comedies. Glascock also found that these differences were found behind the camera where males predominate.

Question 20

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF MASCULINITY

Katz

Answer 20

Argues that the “epidemic” of male violence is rooted in the media’s inability to move away from stereotypical versions of what it means to be a man. Also argues that young men and boys receive constant messages, both subliminal and conscious, from sources of media such as television, video games, films, advertising and porn that reinforce masculine ideals of violence, sexism and homophobic ways of thinking.

Question 21

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF MASCULINITY

Easthorpe

Answer 21

Supported the view that a variety of media, especially Hollywood films and computer games, transmit the view that masculinity based on strength, aggression, competition and violence is biologically determined and, therefore, a natural goal for boys to achieve.

Question 22

TRADITIONAL/NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF MASCULINITY

Gauntlett

Answer 22

Argues that despite a changing media landscape there are many magazines aimed at male audiences that continue to sexually objectify women and present images of traditionally masculine men. Magazines represent retributive masculinity.

Question 23

CHANGING/POSITIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF FEMININITY

Gill

Answer 23

Argues that there has been a significant shift in advertising representations of women in recent years. They used to be presented as objects of the male gaze, young women in adverts are now frequently depicted as active, independent and sexually powerful. Instead of women being presented as passive, dumb, unintelligent sex objects.

Question 24

CHANGING/POSITIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF FEMININITY

Westwood

Answer 24

Argues that representations of gender have changed and refers to ‘ transgressive female roles’ in british tv. Transgressive- females are now presented in a way that means they are breaking hegemonic social and moral constraints/ gender roles this is empowering women.

Question 25

# CHANGING/POSITIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF FEMININITY Glascock

Answer 25

There are now a range of femininities portrayed in the media such as ‘independent women’ E.g Lara croft, brave, katniss everdeen, rapunzel-hair used for strength not beauty.

Question 26

# CHANGING/POSITIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF FEMININITY Gauntlett

Answer 26

Focuses on the relationship between media and identity. States that the media now provides alternative gendered images and ideas, which are producing a greater diversity of choice for people when constructing their gender identities.Found that younger audiences are now more open to having female as well as male lead characters in films. Also found that magazines at young women emphasised that women should do their own thing and be themselves.

Question 27

# CHANGING/POSITIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF MASCULINITY Easthorpe

Answer 27

In the 1980s saw the emergence of a new breed of glossy magazines aimed at middle class young men, such as GQ. They suggested that men are emotionally vulnerable, they should be more in touch with their emotions or feminine side, they should treat women as equal. The laundrette ad supports this study.

Question 28

# CHANGING/POSITIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF MASCULINITY Whannel

Answer 28

Claims that the presentation of Beckham are fluid - his good looks, his football skills, competitive spirit and his commitment mark him out as a traditional ‘real man’.

Question 29

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF UPPER CLASS Nairn

Answer 29

Discusses the media representation of the monarchy and states that after WW11 the monarchy developed close ties with the media industry and worked with them to reinvent itself as ‘the royal family’ Since they have been represented in the media as a family that are ‘like us but not like us’, and the narrative of their lives is presented as a soap opera, and is part of our day to day media fabric, which encourages us to identify with the royals. Newspaper headlines like “ Prince William went for a pint at Wetherspoons." or “kate meets her children at art gallery event.”

Question 30

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF MIDDLE CLASS Leech

Answer 30

States that middle class lifestyles are presented as the ‘ideal’ lifestyle in media advertising and developed the concept of the ideal ‘cereal packet family’ to describe the image that is sold to us as desirable in the media. Leech recognised the power of the image of the ‘traditional family’ and noted that it was a socially constructed model, laden with assumptions that aimed to ‘normalise’ the image of what a family should be.

Question 31

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF WORKING CLASS Newman

Answer 31

There are very few films, sitcoms or dramas which give a realistic image of the working class, despite the importance of this section of society. Newman argues that working class people are stereotyped and labelled in an unflattering and pitying light.

Question 32

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF WORKING CLASS Dodd and dodd

Answer 32

Examined eastenders and suggest that the show presents the nostalgic view of the traditional notion of working class communities, but state that this does not accurately reflect a modern day working class culture. Jones - In his book Chavs the demonization of the working classes (2012) he discusses the use of the word chav and explains that this has become a way of condemning working class culture and people. Jones developed the concept of ‘chavtainment’ when discussing the development of TV broadcasts that portray a negative view of working class people as “bigoted, slothful and aggressive.

Question 33

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF UNDERCLASS Baumberg et al

Answer 33

Researched ‘Benefits stigma’ in britain and analysed a database of 6,600 national press articles between 1995-2011. Found an extraordinarily disproportionate focus on benefit fraud:29% of news stories referenced fraud. In comparison the government's own estimate is that mere 0.7% of all benefits claims are fraudulent.Common language to describe benefits claims as undeserving include “fraud, dishonesty, dependency,non-reciprocity,outsider status.

Question 34

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF UNDERCLASS Golding and Middleton

Answer 34

Examined the notion of moral panic surrounding the underclass. Carried out content analysis and discovered “we;fare issues” were not discussed unless they were connected to other social issues such as crime, fraud or sex.

Question 35

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF UNDERCLASS Price

Answer 35

Developed the concept of “poverty porn “ to describe programmes such as channel 4 benefit street - this refers to the media exploiting the participants and their lifestyle in order to shock and entertain the audiences.

Question 36

# CHANGING REPRESENTATIONS OF UPPER CLASS Nairn

Answer 36

Claims that media representations of the upper class have changed over recent years. The royal family is more likely to be criticised by the press.

Question 37

# CHANGING REPRESENTATIONS OF UPPER CLASS Reiner

Answer 37

Recent media representations of wealthy people are being used to show examples of hard work, success and meritocracy. He argues that when people are portrayed as having huge amounts of wealth their success is celebrated by the media. Culture of consumption and materialism. Rich lifestyle. Examples include Alan Sugar, David Beckham and Molly Mae.

Question 38

# CHANGING REPRESENTATIONS OF MIDDLE CLASS Draper

Answer 38

Suggested that the new middle class is so diverse in lifestyle occupation and attitudes they have little cohesion/ ‘low level routine’. The inbetweeners.

Question 39

# CHANGING REPRESENTATIONS OF WORKING CLASS Devereux

Answer 39

There are more positive and realistic portrayals of the working class individuals which are seen to be happy and deserving poor. The tv show ‘The Royle family’ states that this is a more realistic attempt at portraying the working class families that doesn't negatively depict their life of benefits or draw attention to welfare at all. For example in the royle family you can see they are a close family and excited about the little things/grateful.

Question 40

# CHANGING REPRESENTATIONS OF WORKING CLASS Dodd and dodd

Answer 40

State that soap operas primarily show a traditional nostalgic view of working class culture. Shows like eastenders have introduced realism through bravely broaching issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, crime, attempted suicide, abortition and homosexuality. These portray the updated view of a communal supportive network.

Question 41

# CHANGING REPRESENTATIONS OF UNDERCLASS Price

Answer 41

Used a discourse analysis and found that Benefit Street does have ‘narratives’ that often present the characters in the program as decent and compassionate people captured by an unfair society. However he argues that these more empathetic aspects are missed by views and political commentators.example this country.

Question 42

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH Heintz- Knowles

Answer 42

Media portrays stereotypical views of children in tv programmes. Children are motivated by peer relationships and romance. Characters engage in anti school behaviour. Children from minority ethnic groups are under-represented. Seen in shows like i-carly.

Question 43

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH Griffin

Answer 43

Media portrays youth in 3 ways. Binge drinking- top boy. Drug taking - deviant/skins. Knifecrime.

Question 44

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH Wayne

Answer 44

Found that 286 stories in which young people were the main subject, 28% focused on young celebs such as footballers. However 82% of the stories focused on young people as either perpetrators or victims of crime. This pattern of representation of youth ignores stories about how young people are affected by problems in housing,education,health, unemployment, parental abuse and politics.

Question 45

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH Women in Journalism

Answer 45

Carried out a study titles ‘hoodies or altar boys. Examined how teen boys were presented in national and local newspapers. They found negative language to describe them - thugs, yobs, hoodies, feral, evil, lout, monsters, brutes, scum, menace, heartless, sick, menacing, inhuman. More stories about crime and teen than any other topic. 24% of stories about teens and sport were positive and oly 16% of stories about teens and entertainment were positive. 85% of teen boys said newspapers portray them in a bad light but reality TV was seen to portray them the most fairly. They also found teenagers were weary of other teenagers mainly due to stories about yobs and hoodies in the media.

Question 46

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH Kelly

Answer 46

Conducted research on the language used by journalists to describe young people who come into contact with the law. Found that young people are dangerous, in need of protection and immature.

Question 47

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH Cohen

Answer 47

Study on folk devils and moral panics shows how the media depicted youths as dangerous and deviant.Found labelling theory/stereotyping towards groups of individual;s and attaching label;s. Self- fulfilling prophesy when your labelled so much the person starts acting like the label, moral panic which is a widespread fear.

Question 48

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF ELDERLY Landis

Answer 48

Identified stereotypes in representations of older people. They were depicted as ‘one dimensional’ - grumpy old man, feisty old woman, depressed/lonely, sickly old person.

Question 49

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF ELDERLY Cuddy and fiske

Answer 49

Found that in the US, TV programmes portrayed just 1.5% of their characters as elderly. They usually played minor roles and were used as a form of comedy or background character. The media often depicted their mental, physical and sexual capacities as ineffective.

Question 50

# TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF ELDERLY Milner et al

Answer 50

Found that the media do not portray a balanced view of aging to do this they would need to present challenges of getting older alongside the more positive opportunities associated with aging such as active aging.

Question 51

# CHANGING REPRESENTATIONS OF CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH Postman

Answer 51

Found that the idea of childhood has begun to disappear as children interact more and more with the media. He argues that children are sexualised in the media and that the media creates a world in which adults and children share the same music, sports, language, literature and films. Discover that the internet contributes to children wearing adult clothing and the internet leads to children and youths being exposed to adult content.

Question 52

# CHANGING REPRESENTATIONS OF CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH Osgerby

Answer 52

Changes in media representations of youth found that there was a recurring theme of ‘ youth as trouble’ argues that these changes in media representations of youth reflect wider cultural developments and ‘ mirror the spirit of the times’ fighting for social change could be portrayed as deviant and norm breaking/ Now youth is associated with violence and going against societal norms and values.

Question 53

# CHANGING REPRESENTATIONS OF ELDERLY Lee et al

Answer 53

Study of adverts. Found that old people were underrepresented, appearing in only 15% of advertisements out of those 15% more than 90% were positive presenting elderly as ‘ golden agers’ enjoying healthy, active lifestyles. There are also significant gender differences in the way old people are represented in the media. Older men are more visible than older women and are more likely to be associated with high status while older women are generally associated with family and poverty.

Question 54

# CHANGING REPRESENTATIONS OF ELDERLY Biggs

Answer 54

Found that there was evidence of change in the representation of old age he found a number of trends. A larger number of older people in soap operas, representation of older people as more active.

Question 55

# CHANGING REPRESENTATIONS OF ELDERLY Carrigan and Szmigin

Answer 55

Found that advertisers were now targeting older people as consumers because of the ‘grey pound’- market of pensioners, this led to an increase in positive images of aging and positive roles for older people. The study showed how large conglomerates use the media to target the elderly market.