Representation in the Media

Representation in the Media

• representations which are the same as the dominant representation can reinforce the stereotype
• representations which are different than the dominant representation challenge the stereotype

What is representation?

Representation is concerned with the way that people, ideas and events are presented to us.

What are signs?

Signs are manipulated in order to make sense to the audience. This means that media texts are purposely used to target the audience. Signs help us to decide what something or someone is like without the audience being directly told.

Social groups to be concerned with:

Gender:

Age:

Sexuality:

Class and Status:

Physical Abilities/Disabilities:

Regional Identity:

Gender

• objects are represented by the media as being masculine or feminine
• women - beauty
• men - physicality