media theories Flashcards
(53 cards)
Define Roland Barthes’ theory of semiotics and apply it to the Tide advert.
Barthes’ semiotics explores how signs create meaning. In the Tide advert, hearts connote love, suggesting women love Tide. The claim “Tide gets clothes cleaner than any other” establishes Tide as superior.
Explain Todorov’s theory of narratology and how it relates to the Kiss of the Vampire poster.
Todorov’s theory outlines a 5-stage narrative structure. The poster hints at a disruption of equilibrium by supernatural forces, a common element in the horror genre.
Summarize Claude Lévi-Strauss’ theory of structuralism and its application to the representations in the Kiss of the Vampire poster.
Lévi-Strauss’ structuralism focuses on binary opposites. The poster uses oppositions like good/evil and male dominance/female passivity to create meaning and conflict.
Outline Stuart Hall’s theories of representation and how they apply to the depiction of women in the Tide advert.
Hall’s theory suggests media constructs meaning. The Tide advert’s domestic imagery and portrayal of women as homemakers create a “shared conceptual road map,” reinforcing traditional gender roles.
Explain Liesbet van Zoonen’s feminist theory and its relevance to the Tide advert.
Van Zoonen’s feminist theory examines gender representation in patriarchal structures. The Tide advert, by depicting women in traditional domestic roles, contradicts the idea of media promoting social change in gender representation.
Define bell hooks’ feminist theory and discuss its critique of the Tide advert’s representation of women.
hooks’ feminist theory critiques mainstream feminism and emphasizes intersectionality. The Tide advert’s focus on women as domestic caretakers contributes to their objectification.
Explain Curran and Seaton’s power and media industries theory in the context of Disney and Black Panther.
Curran and Seaton argue powerful media industries prioritize profit. Disney’s control over Black Panther’s production and distribution, including merchandising, demonstrates this power.
Summarize David Hesmondhalgh’s cultural industries theory and its application to Marvel’s Black Panther.
Hesmondhalgh’s theory examines how cultural industries minimize risk while maximizing profit. Marvel’s production of Black Panther balanced commercial appeal with diverse representation.
Outline George Gerbner’s cultivation theory and its potential application to audience reception of The Times newspaper.
Gerbner’s theory suggests long-term media exposure shapes audience views. Consistent representations in The Times could influence readers’ perceptions.
Explain David Gauntlett’s theory of identity and how it might relate to audience interpretation of the Riptide music video.
Gauntlett’s theory suggests media offers tools for identity exploration. The diverse imagery in “Riptide” allows for varied audience interpretations and identity connections.
How does Barthes’ theory of semiotics explain how the Kiss of the Vampire poster creates meaning?
Barthes’ semiotics suggests the poster uses signs; for example, the red color signifies danger, blood, and horror, while vampires symbolize fear and mystery. These signs create meaning through cultural codes.
Explain Todorov’s theory of narrative structure in relation to how it can be applied to Kiss of the Vampire.
Todorov’s narrative structure suggests the poster hints at a disrupted equilibrium caused by supernatural forces, which is typical of the horror genre.
How does Levi-Strauss’ theory of binary opposites apply to the representations in the Kiss of the Vampire poster?
Levi-Strauss’ theory highlights the binary oppositions in the poster, such as good vs. evil, victim vs. predator, and male dominance vs. female passivity, which create meaning and conflict.
How does Van Zoonen’s feminist theory apply to the representation of women in the Tide advert?
Van Zoonen’s theory suggests that the advert portrays women in traditional gender roles, positioned as ideal consumers and caretakers focused on domesticity.
Explain how Hall’s theory of representation can be used to analyze representations in the Tide advert.
Hall’s theory indicates that the Tide advert reinforces housewife stereotypes, promoting a dominant reading where audiences accept these gender roles.
In what ways does bell hooks’ feminist theory critique the representation of women in the Tide advert?
bell hooks’ theory critiques the advert for framing women as domestic caretakers and thus contributing to the objectification of women.
How might Curran and Seaton’s power and media industries theory be applied to Disney’s role in the production and distribution of Black Panther?
Curran and Seaton’s theory suggests that Disney’s vertical integration and control over production and distribution reinforces their dominance in blockbuster media.
To what extent does Hesmondhalgh’s cultural industries theory apply to Marvel’s production of Black Panther?
Hesmondhalgh’s theory suggests that Marvel, while prioritizing commercial success, balanced it with elements of diversity to appeal to a broader audience.
How can Livingstone and Lunt’s theory regarding regulation be applied to the global influence of the film industry, referencing Black Panther?
Livingstone and Lunt’s theory suggests that the global influence of the film industry, as seen with Black Panther, affects regulation and raises questions about balancing industry freedom with ethical considerations.
Explain how Baudrillard’s concept of simulacra might relate to Beyoncé’s Formation music video.
Baudrillard’s simulacra theory suggests that the music video blurs the lines between media representation and reality through its intertextual references and symbolism.
How does Gilroy’s postcolonial theory apply to the representations in Beyoncé’s Formation music video?
Gilroy’s theory suggests that the video engages with themes of the African diaspora and connects historical representations of Black heritage to contemporary struggles.
How might Hall’s theory of cultural identity be used to analyze representations in Beyoncé’s Formation video?
Hall’s theory suggests that the video challenges mainstream stereotypes through its representations of Black pride and cultural heritage.
How does Barthes’ theory of semiotics explain the use of hearts in the Tide advert?
Barthes’ Semantic Code can be applied to the hearts, which connote love and relationships, suggesting that women desire Tide in addition to clean laundry.
Explain how Levi-Strauss’ theory of binary opposites is relevant to the Tide advert.
Levi-Strauss’ theory is evident in the binary opposition between Tide and its rivals, with the advert claiming “Tide gets clothes cleaner than any other washday product”.
