My definition: The process by which the media alters and monitors information it makes available to the public
Sir's definition: The process by which messages and values are constructed and communicated to us
Define "Representation"
My definition: How something is presented or portrayed to deliver an impression
Sir's definition: The reinforcement of these messages and values through continuous repetition in the mass media
Activity: Asked to draw a bank manager in 60 seconds. Everyone in the class drew a man in a suit
If on a judging panel looking to hire a bank manager, would these preconceptions influence your decision?
Denotations
What you see
Connotations
What you associate with those things that you see or hear
Stereotypes: 2 Dimensions
- Behavioural
- Physical
Stereotypes
Media representations often use stereotypes as a cultural shorthand
Richard Dyer
- Argues stereotypes are a way of reinforcing differences between people, and representing these differences as a natural
- For examples, stereotypes about men and women reinforce the idea that they are very different
Question we would ask when analysing representations:
- Who or what is being represented?
- How is the representation being created?
- Who has created the representation?
- Why is the representation created in that way? What is the intention?
- What is the effect of the representation?
Gatekeeping
A theorist called White (1961) spoke of the "Gatekeepers"; that is the people who are part of the decision making process in the construction of media texts.
Who do you consider to be gatekeepers? Film producers, agents
The Constructionist Approach
The audience reacts to this representation and this depends on their own personal interpretational context: age, gender, political/religious beliefs, nationality etc
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