Media Topic 3 - Media Representations: Age, Class, Ethnicity

Question 1

How are different age groups represented in the media?

Answer 1

Different age groups tend to be represented in different ways, with older people under-represented and youth over-represented.

Question 2

What are common stereotypes of children in media?

Answer 2

• Kids as victims
• Cute kids
• Little devils
• Kids are brilliant
• Kids as accessories
• Kids these days?
• Little angels

Question 3

What negative stereotypes are often associated with youth (ages 15-20s) in the media?

Answer 3

Youth are portrayed as rebellious, selfish, troublemakers, and linked to crime, gang culture, and anti-social behavior.

Question 4

What percentage of stories about young people were found to be negative according to a 2005 analysis?

Answer 4

57 percent of stories about young people were negative.

Question 5

True or False: Older people are often portrayed positively in the media.

Answer 5

False

Question 6

What did Cuddy and Fiske (2004) find about the portrayal of elderly characters on TV?

Answer 6

Only 1.5 percent of characters were portrayed as elderly, mostly in minor roles.

Question 7

What stereotype is often applied to older women in media?

Answer 7

Older women are often rendered invisible, symbolically annihilated.

Question 8

What is the impact of media representations on older people according to White et al. (2012)?

Answer 8

Older viewers believe they are stereotyped and see a lack of representation of middle-aged and older women.

Question 9

What do campaigns for better representation of older people aim to achieve?

Answer 9

They aim to avoid discrimination and improve the portrayal of older generations.

Question 10

How is social class generally represented in the media?

Answer 10

Class is often represented as a lifestyle choice rather than an economic category.

Question 11

What do Jones (2011) and Lawler suggest about media representation of the middle class?

Answer 11

The media implies that everyone should aspire to middle-class values and lifestyles.

Question 12

What is the portrayal of working-class people in media according to Butsch (2003)?

Answer 12

Working-class people are often portrayed as buffoons—immature, irresponsible, and incompetent.

Question 13

What stereotype is associated with the working class in relation to crime?

Answer 13

The working class is often depicted as troubled and linked to crime and welfare dependency.

Question 14

What does the term ‘chav’ signify in media representations of the working class?

Answer 14

‘Chav’ is a derogatory term used to describe working-class individuals as worthless and vulgar.

Question 15

What are the main representations of the upper class in the media?

Answer 15

Upper class is portrayed as cultured, refined, and superior, often through monarchy coverage and luxury lifestyles.

Question 16

What do pluralists argue about the representation of the upper class in media?

Answer 16

Pluralists argue that it reflects audience demand.

Question 17

How are ethnic minorities represented in the media according to neo-Marxists?

Answer 17

Representations of ethnic minorities are filtered through a predominantly white, middle-class media establishment.

Question 18

What did Cumberbatch et al. (2014) find regarding ethnic minorities in TV roles?

Answer 18

Ethnic minorities filled just over one in seven roles, with Black African Caribbeans over-represented and South Asians under-represented.

Question 19

What types of roles are ethnic minorities less likely to hold in media?

Answer 19

They are less likely to hold lead roles in fiction and serious subjects like politics.

Question 20

Fill in the blank: The media often focuses on problems faced by minority ethnic groups, such as _______.

Answer 20

crime, drugs, educational under-achievement, gangs.

Question 21

How are ethnic minorities represented in entertainment shows?

Answer 21

Ethnic minorities were mostly in entertainment shows, had few lead roles in fiction, and were rarely presenters

This reflects a lack of significant representation in major roles.

Question 22

What types of programs were African Caribbeans more likely to appear in according to Malik (2002)?

Answer 22

Programs dealing with social issues, music, sport, light entertainment, and comedy

They were less likely to be found in serious roles like political commentators.

Question 23

According to Beattie et al. (1999), how often do black and Asian people appear as hosts and presenters?

Answer 23

More likely to appear in supporting roles and as temporary guests than as hosts

Their representation is often in children’s TV rather than prime-time.

Question 24

What concerns did ethnic minorities express about their media portrayal according to Hargrave (2002)?

Answer 24

Concerns included stereotyping, negative depictions, lack of representation, and tokenism

They felt their cultural differences were ignored.

Question 25

What does 'symbolic annihilation' refer to in the context of media representation?

Answer 25

The absence or underrepresentation of minority groups, particularly smaller ones like the Chinese, Greeks, or Poles ## Footnote This reflects how media shapes perceptions and profits.

Question 26

What stereotype do sociologists find often depicts ethnic minorities?

Answer 26

Depicted as deviants and law-breakers ## Footnote This includes contexts like drug-dealing and gang culture.

Question 27

True or False: Black people are portrayed less frequently as criminals compared to white people.

Answer 27

False ## Footnote Black people were found to be more than twice as likely to be portrayed as criminals.

Question 28

What does Stuart Hall's study on 'black mugger' illustrate about media representation?

Answer 28

It shows how the media exaggerated black crime and created moral panics ## Footnote This was used to distract from wider economic issues.

Question 29

What has media coverage of terrorist events led to regarding Muslims?

Answer 29

Stereotyping all Muslims as a threat to society ## Footnote A 2007 report found 91% of articles about Muslims were negative.

Question 30

What is 'fashionable Islamophobia' as described by Baroness Warsi?

Answer 30

The social acceptability of anti-Muslim views ## Footnote This phenomenon highlights the normalization of negative perceptions.

Question 31

Fill in the blank: A stigmatized identity is one that is seen as _______.

Answer 31

undesirable ## Footnote This exclusion affects societal acceptance.

Question 32

According to the Glasgow Media Group (2000), how are developing countries typically depicted in British media?

Answer 32

As chaotic, having diseases, famine, child soldiers, and constant conflict ## Footnote This portrayal shapes negative public perceptions.

Question 33

What do pluralists believe about media portrayals of ethnic minorities?

Answer 33

They reflect news values and reinforce a sense of superiority for majority white audiences ## Footnote This perspective highlights audience identity formation.

Question 34

How has representation of black and ethnic minority groups in media been improving?

Answer 34

More black and Asian figures in music, arts, and media, with increased recruitment of ethnic minority presenters ## Footnote This includes roles in children's TV and mainstream shows.

Question 35

What percentage of non-white viewers watch EastEnders?

Answer 35

43% ## Footnote This indicates growing acceptance of ethnic minorities in British society.