Representations Flashcards
(198 cards)
1
Q
Social class
A
The hierarchical divisions within a society based on factors such as wealth, occupation, education, and social status.
2
Q
Economic capital
A
The financial resources and assets that an individual or group possesses, which can be used to generate wealth and influence.
3
Q
Social capital
A
The network of relationships and social connections that provide individuals with opportunities and support.
4
Q
Cultural capital
A
The knowledge, skills, education, and cultural experiences that individuals acquire, which can confer social status.
5
Q
Cultural hegemony
A
The dominance of a particular set of cultural norms, values, and beliefs that are accepted as the standard by a society.
6
Q
Stereotype
A
A widely held, oversimplified, and generalized belief or image about a particular group of people, often based on limited or inaccurate information.
7
Q
Poverty porn
A
The portrayal of impoverished people or communities in a sensationalized, exploitative, or voyeuristic manner, often to elicit sympathy or gain attention without addressing the underlying causes of poverty.
8
Q
Name the 3 aspects of media representations of the upper class and wealthy
A
- Nairn: The monarchy
- The upper class
- Newman: The wealthy
9
Q
What does Nairn argue about the media representations of the monarchy?
A
- Media maintains the monarchy’s status and legitimacy
- Presents them as symbols of unity, tradition, and continuity
- Depicts them in an idealized, glamorous light
- Like us but not like us
- Downplays controversy and political influence
10
Q
How is the upper class represented in the media?
A
- Old money is seen as an enviable lifestyle e.g Made in Chelsea
- They are also presented as oblivious to their privileges
11
Q
How is the upper class represented in the media through historical dramas and give an example?
A
- Downton Abbey
- Romanticise the past’s rigid class structures, presenting the upper class as eccentric or endearing.
- Their wealth is seen as integral to history, often overlooking the inequalities embedded in such systems.
12
Q
What does Newman argue about the media representations of the wealthy?
A
- Wealthy are shown as symbols of upward mobility
- Seen in shows like The Only Way Is Essex and The Real Housewives
- Emphasize material success as achievable by anyone
- Promotes false class consciousness
- Hides real structural barriers to social mobility
13
Q
Overall, how are the middle class portrayed?
A
The middle class are seen as the norm and are overrepresented in the media
14
Q
What is the idea of the cereal packet family in the representations of the middle class according to Leech?
A
- Presented as the standard, idealizing them as the “cereal packet family”
- Live comfortably with leisure and security
- Portrayed as desirable and achievable through hard work, reinforcing the idea of social mobility.
- Promotes middle-class values as the societal norm
15
Q
What role does advertising play in the representation of the middle class in the media?
A
- Focuses on middle-class consumers
- Highlights ability to afford luxuries (e.g. holidays, tech, premium brands)
- Reinforces the “cereal packet family” ideal of success through consumption
16
Q
How is diversity in the middle-class family shown in advertising?
A
- Traditional nuclear families are common
- Growing inclusion of diverse families (e.g. same-sex couples in Campbell’s ads)
- Shows evolving views of middle-class life despite some public backlash
17
Q
What role does the news play in representing the middle class in the media?
A
- Focuses on middle-class concerns (e.g. moral decline, heritage, climate change, cost of living)
- Presents these issues as universal, appealing mainly to middle-class audiences
- Media creators’ middle-class backgrounds influence content
- Reinforces middle-class values
- Often overlooks or misrepresents lower socioeconomic groups
18
Q
What concept and name the sociologist explains why middle- class values dominate the media?
A
- Cultural hegemony
- Gramsci
19
Q
Explain how Gramsci’s idea of cultural hegemony influences the representations of the middle class.
A
- Middle-class values are portrayed as universal norms
- Marginalizes working-class and alternative perspectives
- Media centers on middle-class ideals as the standard to aspire to
- Alternative lifestyles may appear, but the dominant narrative upholds middle-class dominance and influence
20
Q
Overall how are the working class portrayed in the media?
A
- Presented negatively
- Underrepresented in the media
21
Q
What does Jones argue the working class face in the media and why?
A
- Faces symbolic annihilation in media
- Working-class lives and achievements are erased from public narrative
- Part of a broader middle-class assault to discredit and undermine the working class
- Issues like poverty, unemployment, and the cost-of-living crisis are overshadowed by middle-class concerns
22
Q
What is a misconseption about the working class in the media according to Curran and Seaton?
A
- Misconception that the working class are uninterested in serious news
- Leads to newspapers that are aimed at the working class such as the Daily Mail and the Sun tend to focus more on celebrity gossip, sports and sensationalism.
23
Q
How do Marxists argue that the misconception that the working class is uninterested in the news serves capitalist interests?
A
- Serves to distract the working class from the inequalities of capitalism
- Treats the working class as passive recipients of media messages and unlikely to challenge the status quo.
- Reinforces class divisions and limits access to serious and informative content.
24
Q
What do Pluralists argue about why the working class are served less serious and informative content?
A
- Media offers escapism from the hardships of daily life
- Working class may prefer fantasy or aspirational content over reminders of struggle
- Media caters to audience preferences, not to demonise the working class
- Entertainment provides a temporary escape rather than reinforcing stereotypes
25
Have there been any recent efforts to improve working class representation in the media?
- Efforts to portray the working class in a more realistic and sympathetic light.
- Coronation Street
26
What does Newman argue about the media representations of poverty?
- Mostly negative
- They are depicted in terms of statistics without exploring the human impact of these conditions.
- Media often suggest that those in poverty are poor because they don't work hard enough.
27
What does McKendrick argue about the media representations of poverty in terms of entertainment?
- Portrayals of the poor in the media are often sanitised or framed as entertainment.
- They trivialise the hardships of the poor presenting them as resourceful schemers.
- Poverty is also used as a form of entertainment in reality TV where people are ridiculed and blamed for their circumstances.
28
What does Cohen argue about the media representations of poverty linking to capitalism?
- The media spends more time celebrating the successes of capitalism rather than addressing or exploring the negative impacts of it.
- The meritocratic narrative obscures the reality that capitalism often keeps people in poverty which contributes to the culture of the poor being failures.
29
What did Shildrick, McDonald and Webster find about how the media represent poverty
- The media tends to blame poor people for their own situation, rather than looking at bigger issues like inequality.
- This makes it harder for people to get help and reinforce harmful stereotypes, contributing to further exclusion.
30
What does Lawler argue about the representations of poverty and the underclass and how do they link it to other classes?
- Reinforces social divisions making the poverty seem like a personal failure rather than a systemic issue.
- They serve to reassure the middle and upper class of their status and creating a clear boundary of "us" and "them".
31
What does Swale argue the media portrays the underclass as and what does this justrify?
- Criminal, lazy and welfare dependent.
- These depictions reinforce negative stereotypes and justify social inequality.
32
Cult of femininity
A set of cultural beliefs that idealised traditional female traits like beauty, nurturing and passivity, often portrayed as a women's primary value.
33
Intersectionality
Media representations of women is influenced by overlapping social identities such as age and race.
34
Commodification
The process of turning women's bodies, identities and experiences into objects for sale or consumption in the media.
35
Double victimisation
When women are portrayed in the media as both victims of their circumstances and the causes of it.
36
What did the Just the Women Report in 2012 find about media representations of women?
- UK newspapers often used sexist and stereotypical language
- Focused on women’s appearance, relationships, and personal lives over achievements
- Reinforced negative gender stereotypes
- Contributed to normalising misogynistic attitudes and behaviour in society
37
What research methods did the Just the Women Report in 2012 use?
Content analysis of 11 national newspapers over 2 weeks
38
Who is the sociologist behind the cult of feminity?
Ferguson
39
Representations of women: Idealised womanhood
The portrayal of women in magazines as perfect, nurturing and focused on beauty, homemaking and pleasing men. These portrayals are narrow and set an unrealistic standard of femininity reinforcing the idea that a women's value is in her appearance and domestic roles.
40
Representations of women: Consumerism
- Women's magazines encourage women to buy beauty products, fashion and household items to maintain their idealised roles.
- The constant promotion of these products lead to false needs
41
Representations of women: Traditional gender roles
- Traditional gender roles are emphasised through media portrayals of women as caretakers, homemakers, and supporters of male success.
- Magazines reinforce this view by promoting content supporting these roles and suggesting that this is the primary responsibility of women.
42
Representations of women: Lack of intersectionality
- Tends to be a single, narrow and homogenous image of femininity, focusing primarily on western, white middle class women.
- Ignores the diverse cultures and experiences of different groups of women.
43
Representations of women: Passivity and Dependence
Women are often portrayed as needing to rely on men for emotional, financial and social stability.
They are encouraged to be passive, submissive and avoid confrontation in order to meet the idealised female.
44
Representations of women: Emotionalism
- Highly emotional, often focusing on love, relationships and personal struggles rather than intellect or rationality.
- This creates the stereotype that women are naturally more sensitive and emotional.
45
Name 3 aspects of symbolic annihalition
- Omission
- Trivialisation
- Condemnation
46
Representations of women: What did Sisson argue about omission?
- Most media stories about women focus on their roles as mothers or homemakers, not their achievements or expertise in other areas.
- When women are shown, their contributions outside the home are often overlooked. This reinforces traditional gender roles and limits how women's work and abilities are portrayed.
47
Representations of women: What did Cochran find out about the omission of women?
Content analysis of radio shows over the course of 1 year showed that 84% of guests were male.
48
Representations of women: What did Packer find out about the omission of women?
An analysis of the 2012 Olympics revealed that only 4.5% of the media coverage focused on women-only events. This excludes joint events, such as mixed doubles.
49
Representations of women: What did Rodriguez find out about the omission of women?
A study examining experts featured on news programs found that only 20% of those invited to share their expertise were women.
50
Representations of women: What did Alaoui find out about the omission of women?
A study across 114 countries and looked at their media and saw that women comprise only 24% of the people we read about see or hear from in the media.
51
Representations of women: What 4 common roles are women asigned by the media according to Tunstall?
- The wife
- The mother
- The bitch
- The whore
52
Representations of women: According to Tunstall what are women often reduced to?
Women are often reduced to their relationships with men, such as being referred to as "the wife of" someone famous, while their own accomplishments are overlooked.
53
Representations of women: According to Tunstall how are women who reject traditional roles portrayed?
Labelled as "cold" or "heartless," reinforcing narrow stereotypes and trivializing their contributions.
54
Representations of women: How does the media commodify women according to Mulvey?
- Focuses on women’s appearance for male consumption
- Mulvey calls this the “male gaze”, where women are viewed as objects through a male perspective
55
Women as sexual commodities: How does media treatment differ for men and women during public events?
- Women are often judged by their looks at red carpet events
- Frequently asked about their designers, while men are not scrutinized in the same way
56
Women as sexual commodities: What do Kilbourne (1995) and Bates (2014) argue about women’s portrayal in media?
- Women are depicted as mannequins or “walking Barbies”
- Seen as constant projects for improvement, expected to meet unrealistic beauty standards
57
What media examples show negative portrayals of powerful or childless women?
- The Devil Wears Prada presents powerful women as harsh and unlikable
- Shows like Clock depict women without maternal instincts as flawed
58
How are single or independent women portrayed in media narratives?
- Often shown as secretly longing for relationships
- Portrayed as failures if they choose independence over romance
- Reinforces outdated gender norms
59
What do characters like Arya and Sansa Stark from Game of Thrones show about femininity and power in media?
- Their strength comes from rejecting femininity and adopting masculine traits
- Reflects society’s discomfort with women who are both empowered and feminine
60
How does Gauntlett argue 21st-century media empowers women? Give an example.
- Campaigns like Always' "Like a Girl" and Just a Girl promote female empowerment
- Encourage women to be independent, strong, and successful
- Challenge traditional roles like being only a wife or mother
- Emphasize that women can embrace strength and femininity
- Modern media promotes the message: "You can have it all"—career, independence, and identity
61
What do Green and Shingleton argue about how new media empowers women?
- New media acts as "feminine technologies", helping women challenge traditional gender norms
- Platforms like social media allow women to speak out and raise awareness
62
Media empowering women: What movements are examples of women using media to challenge sexism?
- #LikeAGirl, #MeToo, and #EverydaySexism
- These movements use media to highlight everyday sexism and push for gender equality
63
Media empowering women: What examples show how media helps challenge gendered marketing and inequality?
- The "pink tax" reveals how women’s products, like razors, are often priced higher than men’s equivalents
64
Explain the evaluation that while media is advancing women's empowerment, the societal resistance to women stepping out of traditional roles persists.
- Women who challenge gender norms still face significant backlash.
- Carol Vorderman, who speaks out on political issues has received death threats and sexist abuse.
- Vorderman, despite her academic qualifications, is dismissed or attacked simply because she's a woman, showing how ingrained sexism remains.
65
Masculinity
Socially constructed behaviours, roles, and attributes traditionally associated with being male.
66
Transgender
Individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth, challenging societal gender norms.
67
Nonbinary
People whose gender identity doesn't fit within the traditional binary of male or female, challenging fixed gender categories.
68
Toxic masculinity
Harmful societal expectations of men, emphasizing aggression, dominance, and emotional repression as signs of "manliness."
69
Demonisation
Demonisation refers to the portrayal of certain groups as evil or dangerous, reinforcing negative stereotypes and social exclusion.
70
Tokenism
Including a minority group member in a superficial way to give an appearance of equality or diversity without meaningful change.
71
Hypersexuality
The exaggerated depiction or expectation of excessive sexual desire or behaviour, often reinforcing harmful stereotypes in media.
72
Explain what was found in the research of "If he can see it, Will he be it? 2020"
- Examined TV shows aimed at boys, finding male characters rarely express emotions beyond anger or stoicism.
- Depicted as risk-takers, often solving problems through violence, and are more likely to be portrayed without parental presence on screen.
73
Explain what was found in the research of "Tough Guise 2: Jackson Katz"
- Media aimed at boys promotes toxic masculinity by reinforcing violent, sexist, and homophobic ideals.
- These messages shape harmful stereotypes of men as aggressive, dominant, and emotionally detached.
- Katz suggests that these portrayals normalize male aggression, emotional repression, and the devaluation of women and LGBTQ+ individuals in society.
74
What are the 8 common stereotypes of men according to McNamara
- Self-sufficiency
- Acting tough
- The expert
- Physical attractiveness
- Heterosexuality/homophobia
- Hypersexuality
- Aggression & Control
- Comedic value
75
Common stereotypes of men: Self-sufficency
Men are portrayed as emotionally independent,
rarely showing vulnerability or needing help. For example, action heroes like James Bond solve problems alone, never relying on others for support.
76
Common stereotypes of men: Acting Tough
Characters like John McClane in Die Hard exemplify men who endure physical and emotional hardship without displaying weakness, reinforcing the notion that men must be tough and stoic.
77
Common stereotypes of men: The Expert
Male characters are often portrayed as authorities in their field, like Dr. House from House, who is the genius problem-solver, reinforcing the stereotype of men as the ultimate experts.
78
Common stereotypes of men: Physical Attractiveness
Media idealizes men like superheroes (e.g., Thor),
emphasizing their muscular bodies and physical strength, equating attractiveness with masculinity and power.
79
Common stereotypes of men: Heterosexuality / Homophobia
Media often reinforces heterosexuality as the norm,
as seen in Friends, where jokes about homosexuality highlight discomfort and reinforce heteronormative attitudes.
80
Common stereotypes of men: Hypersexuality
Characters like Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother embody hypersexuality, constantly pursuing casual relationships and sexual conquests, emphasizing male sexual prowess.
81
Common stereotypes of men: Aggression and Control
In films like Gladiator, male characters use violence to
assert dominance and control, portraying aggression as a key component of masculinity.
82
Common stereotypes of men: Comedic Value
Movies like Mrs. Doubtfire or Tootsie use men dressing or behaving in traditionally female ways for comedic effect, reinforcing stereotypes that diminish male masculinity when they take on female roles.
83
What are the 7 media representations of non-binary and transgender characters?
- Identity
- Comedic value
- Supporting role
- Tragic narrative
- Tokenism
- Hypersexuality
- Deceptive character
84
Representations of non-binary & transgender characters: Identity
Non-binary and transgender characters are often reduced to their gender identity, with storylines focusing solely on their transition, rather than exploring their full character development.
85
Representations of non-binary & transgender characters: Comedic Value
Transgender or non-binary characters are sometimes used for comic relief, like in The Cleveland Show, where Donna's ex-husband is portrayed as a transgender woman, reinforcing stereotypes through humour.
86
Representations of non-binary & transgender characters: Supporting Role
These characters are frequently secondary or side characters, like the stereotype of the "Gay best friend" who exists to support the main, cisgender characters rather than leading the story.
87
Representations of non-binary & transgender characters: Tragic Narrative
Transgender characters often endure tragic storylines, such as violence or rejection, as seen in Boys Don't Cry, which portrays the real-life murder of Brandon Teena.
88
Representations of non-binary & transgender characters: Tokenism
Non-binary and transgender characters are sometimes included to appear progressive, without meaningful development, as with the briet appearance of a non binary character in Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
89
Representations of non-binary & transgender characters: Hypersexuality
Transgender characters are occasionally hypersexualized, like Sophia in Orange is the New Black, where her sexual identity is heavily emphasized over other aspects of her character.
90
Representations of non-binary & transgender characters: Deceptive Character
Some media portrays transgender characters as deceptive, hiding their true gender, like in The Crying Game, perpetuating harmful stereotypes about dishonesty and betrayal.
91
Has transgender and non-binary representation increased and become less problematic?
- Has increased, but remains problematic.
- A 2009 survey found 78% of British trans people considered media portrayals inaccurate.
92
Theoretical perspectives of gender representation: Feminism
- Liberal feminists: There is a cultural lag in media representation due to a lack of women in top creative positions (only 30% in key roles).
- Radical feminists: believe media perpetuates beauty myths, pressuring women to conform to unrealistic standards, while Marxist feminists link this to consumerism.
93
Theoretical perspectives of gender representation: Marxism
- Media prioritizes profit by creating false needs to fuel consumerism
- Promotes beauty myths, especially for women, to sell products
- Portrays people as inadequate, encouraging them to "fix" themselves
- Affects both men and women, linking representation to consumer demand
94
Theoretical perspectives of gender representation: Pluralists
- Argue symbolic annihilation underestimates women’s ability to challenge stereotypes
- Media is seen as reflecting, not shaping, societal attitudes
- Rise of neo-traditional housewife roles mirrors current trends, not imposed norms
- Such portrayals resonate with some, but aren't forced on all viewers
95
Theoretical perspectives of transgender & non-binary representation: Gauntlett
The media is increasingly challenging traditional gender stereotypes, encouraging more diverse portrayals of masculinity and femininity, offering a broader perspective on gender identities.
96
Institutional Bias
Systemic policies or practices within organizations that result in unequal treatment or disadvantage for certain groups.
97
Saviourism
When a dominant group or individual presents themselves as rescuing marginalized groups, often reinforcing power imbalances and stereotypes.
98
Minority ethnic groups as criminals: Van Dijk & Davis 2007
Journalists demonise black young people as a threat to law abiding society. This creates a distorted view of crime, ignoring structural inequalities and
overemphasizing the role of ethnicity in criminal behaviour.
99
Minority ethnic groups as criminals: Law 2002
Conducted a content analysis of news from Press, radio and TV from November 1996 to May
1997. He found that the link between race, violence, dangerousness and crime is still highly prevalent.
100
Minority ethnic groups as criminals: Cushion 2011
Monitored a range of newspapers, nightly TV news shows and radio news for 16 weeks from 2008-
2009. He found that Black males are regularly associated with negative news values. 7 of 10 news stories about black males are crime related.
Especially violent crime.
101
Minority ethnic groups as criminals: Back 2002 on reporting of riots
The reporting of inner-city race disturbances involving members of minority ethnic groups are reported as
"riots". This implies that these events are irrational and criminal and bring up images of rampaging mobs. Journalists rarely use the word "uprising" which would suggest those involved have legitimate grievances.
102
Minority ethnic groups as criminals: Wayne 2007
Examined a range of news coverage and found that nearly 50% of coverage concerning black young people concerned crime.
103
Minority ethnic groups as criminals: Watson 2008
Moral panics regularly result from media stereotyping of black people as potentially criminal.
104
Minority ethnic groups as a threat: Immigrants
Seen as a threat due to their numbers and because of the impact they supposedly have on job availability, housing and social care etc.
105
Minority ethnic groups as a threat: Refugees according to Greenslade
Portrayed as coming the UK to abuse the welfare system and as a threat to British identity and cohesion. - ICAR suggests that this representation can contribute to the harassment and negative treatment.
106
Minority ethnic groups as a threat: Muslim representation pre 9/11 according to Poole
Muslims have always been demonised and distorted in western press. A homogenised representation of Muslims as backward, irrational, misogynists and unchanging fundamentalists who are threatening and manipulative.
107
Minority ethnic groups as a threat: Muslims according to Moore et al. 4 negative ideological messages in British media on Islam ...
* Islam is portrayed as dangerous, backward, and irrational compared to Western values.
* Multiculturalism allows Muslim extremists to spread their message within the UK.
* A "clash of civilizations" narrative presents the West as democratic and Islam as oppressive and intolerant.
* Islam is viewed as a threat to the British way of life, including fears of Sharia law replacing British law.
108
Minority ethnic groups as a threat: Muslim women according to Ameli et All & Nahdi
- Media portrayals of Muslim women focus on oppression, ignoring their agency and reducing them to victims.
- This biased coverage fosters mistrust among Muslim audiences, legitimizing extremist voices and ignoring the diversity within Muslim communities worldwide.
109
Minority ethnic groups as unimportant: Van Dijk [2006]
- The lives of white people are valued more than those of minority ethnic groups.
- This bias is evident in how the media prioritizes coverage of white crime victims, while often neglecting black victims.
110
Minority ethnic groups as unimportant: Ligali 2006
Black victims of crime are not paid the same degree of attention as white victims' case can be seen in the treatment of Sarah Everard compared to Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry
111
Minority ethnic groups as unimportant: Institutional Bias and what does this lead to according to Bennet et al.
- When ethnic minority people appear on TV they experience two forms of institutional bias by being portrayed in a stereotypical low status role and tokenism
- Bennett et al: Found that minority ethnic groups struggle to identify with TV culture dominated by White, middle-class interests.
112
Minority ethnic groups as unimportant: Tokenism according to Shah
Broadcasters overcompensate for a lack of minority executives by placing Black and Asian actors on screen as mere "props."
113
Minority ethnic groups as unimportant: Saviourism
Media portrays ethnic minorities as needing rescue by White characters, reinforcing power imbalances and depicting minorities as powerless, dependent on benevolent figures for salvation or progress.
114
Theoretical perspectives on Ethnic Representation: Pluralists (5 points)
- Media reflects audience preferences, not deliberate bias
- Ethnic representation shaped by consumer demand and social attitudes
- Negative portrayals (e.g. in The Sun) cater to majority audience fears
- Readers have choice—can seek diverse, neutral content elsewhere
- Media is market-driven, not ideologically controlled
115
Theoretical perspectives on Ethnic Representation: Marxism
- Media stereotypes ethnic minorities to serve ruling class interests
- Creates moral panics (Hall: minorities as "folk devils")
- Distracts from economic inequality and capitalist failings
- Reinforces White working-class fears to justify social control (e.g. policing)
- Ignores systemic causes of ethnic inequality
116
Theoretical perspectives on Ethnic Representation: Neo-marxists
- Media controlled by White, middle-class elites who shape content
- Promotes dominant ideologies that reinforce ruling class power
- Negative stereotypes of ethnic minorities reflect the dominant ideology
- Diverts attention from systemic issues like class inequality
- Maintains the status quo and existing power structures
117
Evaluation of the pluralist perspective on ethnic representation
Many white people lack direct contact with a black or muslim community. Thus, the media doesn't mirror pre-existing anxieties but instead constructs and shapes racist ideologies for audiences.
118
Evaluation of the marxist perspective on ethnic representation (3 points)
- Hollingsworth (1990) found some media professionals held racist views, but it's a small proportion.
- Newspapers like The Guardian focus on anti-racism, as seen in their coverage of the Stephen Lawrence case.
- The diversity and competitiveness of the media suggest not all outlets follow the same ideological goals.
119
Evaluation of the neo-marxist perspective on ethnic representation (3 points)
- Overemphasizes the control of media owners and underestimates audience agency to interpret or resist media messages.
- Overlooks media diversity, as some outlets challenge dominant ideologies and offer positive representations of ethnic minorities.
- The theory oversimplifies media motives, ignoring societal biases and commercial interests. The rise of social media further challenges this view by enabling more diverse and independent representations.
120
Ageism
Discrimination or prejudice based on a person's age, typically targeting older adults, but can apply to younger individuals as well
121
Grey Pound
The economic power and spending potential of older consumers, especially in markets targeting retirees and elderly populations.
122
Name the 6 forms of media representations of childhood
- Cute
- Little Devils
- Brilliant
- Brave
- Accessories
- Modern
123
Representation of Childhood: Cute
- Media depicts children as innocent and sweet, evoking affection and protection.
- Examples include baby commercials or Kinder ads, where wide-eyed toddlers symbolize purity, reinforcing idealized notions of childhood innocence and vulnerability.
124
Representation of Childhood: Little Devils
- Children are shown as mischievous troublemakers, defying authority.
- Examples include Bart Simpson or Dennis the Menace, portraying kids as disruptive, yet playful forces that challenge parental control in humorous ways.
125
Representation of Childhood: Brilliant
- Media portrays some children as prodigies with exceptional intelligence.
- Characters like Matilda or Young Sheldon highlight children excelling beyond their years, showcasing their potential for brilliance and unique abilities.
126
Representation of Childhood: Brave
- Children are depicted as overcoming adversity, like in Harry Potter or Stranger Things.
- These characters symbolize resilience and strength, navigating dangerous challenges and embodying courage despite their youth.
127
Representation of Childhood: Accessories
- Children are sometimes shown as extensions of adult status, especially in celebrity culture (e.g., Kardashian children).
- They serve as symbols of wealth or fashion, reflecting their parents' lifestyle rather than their own identity.
128
Representation of Childhood: Modern
- Media presents modern children as tech-savvy and socially aware.
- Shows like Doc McStuffins or YouTube stars highlight kids embracing digital technology, independence, and global consciousness in contrast to traditional childhood
129
What did Heintz-Knowles find during content analysis of Children's and general entertainment shows in relation to children?
- Children are motivated most often by peer relationships and romance
- Anti-social behaviours, = positive results for the
characters
- Never show children grappling with important issues.
- Children from minority ethnic backgrounds are under-represented
- Entertainment programming reflects an adult perspective on children and on their interests and
concerns.
130
What are the 6 representations of adolescence?
- Freedom
- Rebellious
- Hypersexual
- Lazy
- Entitled
- Desireable
131
Representations of adolescence: Freedom
- Portrayed as enjoying independence, exploring life without adult restrictions.
- Examples include films like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, where teens experience self-discovery and adventure, symbolizing youthful freedom and autonomy.
132
Representations of adolescence: Rebellious
- Shows teenagers defying authority and societal norms.
- Characters like James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause represent rebellious youth, challenging parental control and social expectations, reflecting teen resistance to contormity.
133
Representations of adolescence: Hypersexual
- Adolescents are sometimes portrayed as overly focused on sex and relationships.
- Shows like Euphoria highlight this stereotype, where teen characters engage in sexual exploration, often pushing boundaries and sparking debates on youth and sexuality.
134
Representations of adolescence: Lazy
- Media often depicts teenagers as uninterested in work or responsibility.
- Characters like Homer's son Bart in The Simpsons or Ferris Bueller show teens avoiding duties, reinforcing stereotypes of laziness and disengagement from serious tasks.
135
Representations of adolescence: Entitled
- Teens are portrayed as expecting rewards without effort, demanding more than they deserve.
- Reality shows like My Super Sweet 16 emphasize this stereotype, showing privileged teens who expect luxury without understanding the value of hard work.
136
Representations of adolescence: Desirable
- Media sometimes depicts adolescents as objects of desire, with emphasis on their physical appearance.
- Shows like Gossip Girl feature attractive teens in glamorous settings, reinforcing unrealistic beauty standards and portraying youth as inherently desirable.
137
Wayne et al discovered what about representations of adolescence in the media through content analysis?
- 286 stories focused on youth (13.4%)
- 82% portrayed youth as victims or criminals
- 28% centred on young celebrities
- Only 1% of sources were young people themselves
- Media rarely include youth voices on issues affecting them
138
What does Osgerby argue about media representations of adolescence?
- There's been shift in media portrayals of young people over time.
- Post-war media often depicted youth as hopeful, idealistic, and progressive.
- Contemporary media increasingly shows young people as rebellious, irresponsible, and problematic.
- This change reflects broader societal anxieties about crime, anti-social behaviour, and moral decline.
- Young people are often scapegoated in the media for wider social issues.
139
Name the 6 media representations of the elderly
- Grumpy/fiesty
- Sick/ Mentally deficient
- Lonely/ Depressed
- Having Wisdom
- Busy body
- Second childhood
140
Representations of the elderly: Grumpy / Feisty
Elderly characters are often portrayed as irritable or stubborn, like Grumpy Old Men or Gran Torino, where older individuals are depicted as temperamental, defiant, or resistant to change
141
Representations of the elderly: Sick / Mentally Deficient
Characters like Dory's grandmother in Finding Dory or elderly patients in hospital dramas represent this stereotype of decline and helplessness.
142
Representations of the elderly: Lonely / Depressed
The elderly are sometimes portrayed as isolated or sad. In films like Up, elderly characters experience loneliness, depicting them as emotionally vulnerable or disconnected from society
143
Representations of the elderly: Having Wisdom
Offering guidance to younger generations.
Characters like Yoda in Star Wars embody this stereotype, where their life experience is highly valued.
144
Representations of the elderly: Busy Body
Elderly characters as nosy or meddling in others' affairs. Characters like Mrs. Dubose in To Kill a Mockingbird represent this stereotype, constantly involving themselves in neighbours' lives.
145
Representations of the elderly: Second Childhood
Regressing to childlike behaviour, needing care. In The Curious Case of Benjamin Button or Cocoon, older adults are shown as dependent or playful, echoing childlike tendencies.
146
The media portrays the elderly as high in what but lower in whayt
- High in warmth
- Low in comptence
147
Explain Lee et al's Grey Pound
- Older adults appear in only 15% of advertisements.
- When featured, 90% are portrayed positively as "golden agers"—active, healthy, and financially secure.
- Reflects a media shift to target older consumers due to their strong purchasing power ("grey pound").
148
Explain the gender differences in Lee's et al's Grey Pound
- Older men are shown with status and work-related roles.
- Older women are more likely portrayed in domestic or family roles.
149
Name the 10 common stereotypes of disability in the media
- Pathetic
- Object of curiosity
- Sinister or evil
- Super cripple
- Establish atmosphere
- Laughable
- Own worst Enemy
- A burden
- Non-sexual
- Unable to participate in normal life
150
Barnes' representation of disability: Pathetic
Disabled characters are shown as pitiful and helpless, such as Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol, evoking sympathy.
151
Barnes' representation of disability: Object of Curiosity
Disabled people are treated as spectacles, like in The Elephant Man, focusing on their differences for fascination.
152
Barnes' representation of disability: Sinister or Evil
Disability is linked to villainy, as seen with Captain Hook in Peter Pan, reinforcing negative associations.
153
Barnes' representation of disability: Super Cripple
Characters like Daredevil and Echo overcome extreme disabilities, portraying them as exceptional and unrealistic heroes.
154
Barnes' representation of disability: Establish Atmosphere
Disability is used to evoke a mood, such as in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, where it adds a sense of horror.
155
Barnes' representation of disability: Laughable
Disabled characters are mocked, like Lou in Little Britain, where physical
differences are used for humour.
156
Barnes' representation of disability: Own worst Enemy
Disabled people are shown as causing their own problems, like in Me Before You, where internal struggles dominate.
157
Barnes' representation of disability: A burden
Disability is depicted as a strain on others, like in the Theory of Everything, where care for the disabled person is central.
158
Barnes' representation of disability: Non-Sexual
Disabled people are desexualized, as seen in Rain Man, where romantic or sexual aspects are ignored.
159
Barnes' representation of disability: Unable to participate in normal Life
Characters like Forrest Gump are portrayed as isolated from everyday experiences, reinforcing exclusion.
160
What does Shakespeare argue about the representation of disability?
- "Dustbins for Disavowal" argues society often ignores and denies the existence of disabled people.
- Media reinforces this through simplistic, negative stereotypes, rarely portraying disabled individuals as normal people with impairments.
161
Representations of disability in broadsheets according to Williams-Findlay
- Decline in use of Stereotypical terminology
- But Journalists still assume the life of a disabled person is "tragic" and that disabled people are "afflicted".
- Disabled are not Newsworthy unless a victim or perpetrator of a crime.
162
Representations of disability in tabloids according to Watson, Philo & Briant
- Increase in reporting on disability
- Disabled portrayed as welfare scroungers undeserving of benefits.
- Increase in derogatory language.
163
What did the GUMG find about the representation of mental disability?
- Media often links mental health issues with violence, creating a distorted and negative image.
- This portrayal leads to fear, anxiety, and stigma among the public.
- Able-bodied individuals often report discomfort around people with mental health conditions.
- The media’s focus on rare violent incidents reinforces misconceptions and societal prejudice.
164
Who did Ross study in his research on representations of disability and were they pleased with the representations?
- 384 disabled viewers' attitudes
- They were critical about media representations
165
What 7 representations did Ross find the disabled viewers' were critical about?
- Infantilization of disabled characters
- Unrealistic and sanitized portrayal of disability
- Persistent use of wheelchairs, white sticks and guide dogs to denote disability
- Associations with disabled roles such as anger and bitterness
- Restricted repertoire of character types
- Lack of first-hand experience by media practitioners
- Failure to present disabled people as able to have an ordinary life
166
What did Roper find about the effect of telethons?
- Problematic
- Rely on 'cute' children which are not representative of the population
- Imply that charities, not governments, should be responsible for providing for the disabled.
- Telethons are aimed at allowing the public to alleviate guilt and relief that they're not disabled, not informing on the facts
167
What did Karpf find about the effect of telethons?
- There is a need for charities, but telethons act to keep audience as givers, where as recipients are kept in place as grateful etc
- Telethons entertain the public not inform them about disability
- Representations confirm prejudices, e.g. As being dependent
168
Theoretical perspectives on disabled representation: Pluralism
- Representations reflect the dominant view that disability is dysfunctional for the individual and society.
- Representations mirror social anxieties about impairment.
- Representations reflect the courage shown by disabled individuals, particularly if they are young. It portrays the reality for carers and individuals.
169
Theoretical perspectives on disabled representation: Social Constructionism
- Impaired individuals are disabled by society and the mass media.
- Media professionals have a view of disability
(unfortunate, dependant etc
- Representations show everything a normal person would dread-tragedy, loss, the unknown.
- Disabled rarely consulted by journalists.
Representations reflect their low status and exclusion in society.
170
Theoretical perspectives on disabled representation: Postmodernism
- The medical viewpoint is in decline and our understanding of health and the able-bodied is changing.
- Shown in more positive representations (such as in sport)
- You can't make generalisations; different TV stations may represent disability in different ways. (Gauntlett)
171
Biomedical model
A medical approach that views disability as a physical or mental impairment, focusing on diagnosis and treatment, treating the individual as a problem to be fixed.
172
Social Model [disablism]
A perspective that emphasizes how societal barriers, discrimination, and lack of accessibility create disability, rather than the individual's impairment itself.
173
Symbolic Annihilation
The underrepresentation or complete omission of marginalized groups, in media, leading to their erasure from public consciousness and social narratives.
174
Telethon
A televised fundraising event, for example Children in Need and Red Nose day
175
Deficit model
A perspective that views disability as a deficiency or lack within the individual, focusing on their limitations rather than on societal barriers or the need for inclusion.
176
Pink Economy
Advertisers have realised that spending power of the
LGBTQAI + Community.
177
Heteronormative
A worldview or belief system that assumes heterosexuality as the default or "normal" sexual orientation, reinforcing traditional gender roles and marginalizing non-heterosexual identities and relationships.
178
How is female sexuality represented in the media in terms of behaviour?
- Women are portrayed through harmful stereotypes.
- They are often demonized for sexual activity.
- Media places sole responsibility for contraception and unplanned pregnancy on women.
- Representations reinforce the "virgin or slut" dichotomy, limiting nuanced portrayals of female sexuality.
179
How is male sexuality represented in the media in terms of behaviour?
- Portrayed as a source of status and masculinity.
- Sexual prowess is equated with power and success.
- Men are rarely shamed for promiscuity.
- Media often celebrates or admires male sexual conquests, reinforcing traditional gender stereotypes
180
How is age represented in the media in terms of sexual behaviour?
- Young people are hypersexualized in media portrayals.
- Depicted as primarily motivated by sex, often shown engaging in unprotected or underage sex.
- These portrayals reinforce risky behaviour and frame youth as irresponsible, supporting negative stereotypes about teenage maturity and sexuality.
181
How is disability represented in the media in terms of sexual behaviour?
- Disabled individuals are often desexualized or not shown as sexual beings.
- When sexual behaviour is portrayed, it is frequently for comedic effect.
- Reinforces stereotypes that disabled people are either asexual or socially awkward in romantic situations.
- Fail to normalize disability and sexuality.
182
Representations of sexuality: What historical issue in media did Batchelor et al. (2004) identify?
The media had previously presented narrow and sometimes harmful views of sexual behaviour.
183
Representations of sexuality: What positive changes in media representations did Batchelor et al. (2004) find?
- Increased discussion of sexual health, contraception, and consent.
- These topics were more openly portrayed in media narratives.
- Reflected a growing awareness of responsible sexual behaviour.
184
Representations of sexuality: What impact did Batchelor et al. (2004) suggest these positive changes could have?
They help promote informed choices, especially among young viewers.
185
According to Dyer how do the media portray same-sex attraction and why?
- Relies on stereotypical portrayals of "gayness" to make same-sex attraction more recognizable to audiences.
- By exaggerating certain traits, such as flamboyance or camp behaviour, media renders invisible sexual orientation visible but often reinforces simplistic, misleading stereotypes.
186
According to Batchelor how are LGBTQAI+ characters depicted in the media and what do they reinforce?
- Depicted as sources of anxiety, frequently becoming targets of teasing or bullying.
- Reinforces negative stereotypes and contribute to the marginalization of individuals, rather than normalizing their experiences.
187
What are the 3 signifiers of gayness according to Craig?
- Camp
- Macho
- Deviant
188
Craig's signifiers of gayness: Camp
- An exaggerated, flamboyant form of behavior that emphasizes humor, wit, and theatricality.
- Rylan or Sean from Coronation Street
189
Craig's signifiers of gayness: Macho
- Hyper-masculine gay men, often exaggerating traditional male traits like aggression or physicality.
190
Craig's signifiers of gayness: Deviant
The portrayal of gay men as morally corrupt or abnormal, often linked to criminality or predatory behavior.
191
How do the right wing press portray LGBTQAI+ people?
- As sinful, wicked and unnatural.
- Stories focus on sexuality when it is often irrelevant to the story.
192
Symbolic Annihiliation of LGBTQ+: Stonewall's research
- Content analysis of over 126 hours of TV and Film
- 5 hours and 43mins were focused on LGBTQAI+
issues
- 46 mins of realistic portrayal of LGBTQAl+ people Lesbians and Bisexuals were almost completely invisible.
- The result of institutional bias in the media industry.
193
Symbolic Annihiliation of LGBTQ+: Glaad
- Looked at the top 100 films of 2014
- 17 films featured LGBTQAl+ characters.
- 7 where their sexuality was not the defining feature of the character.
194
Name 3 positives of New Media and LGBTQ+
- It is user generated so gives them a voice t
- LGBTQAl+ organisations have been able to set up support sites.
- Social media has been used to progress LGBTQAl+ issues such as same sex marriage.
195
What did the University of Alberta find about in their content analysis of new media and LGBTQ+ representations?
- Content analysis of social media post from 2012 - 2015
- Tracking 4 particularly negative words relating to the LGBTQAl+ community
- Recorded 56.5 MILLION public posts which were homophobic in nature.
196
Why were BT criticised in 2015 in relation to new media and LGBTQ+ representations?
Provided parents a filter to block children's access to LGBTQAl+ lifestyle sites, alongside sites that discussed abortion, STl's and contraception.
197
Theoretical perspective of representation of Young People: Functionalists
Represented in this light to maintain and normalise boundaries of socially expected behaviour
198
Theoretical perspective of representation of Young People: Pluralists
Representations reflect social reality where young people do commit more crime and deviance
