2. Representation
Media representations are the ways in
which the media portray particular
groups, communities, experiences, ideas
and topics from a particular ideological or
value perspective. Rather than examining
media representations as simply reflecting
or mirroring reality.
3. Representation of Age
Age is the length of time that one has
existed. Age is represented by:
Babies
Children
Teenagers
Adults
The elderly
4. Representation of Gender
Gender is represented in the media by
masculinity or femininity. Both males and
females can be represented as masculine
or feminine, some examples are:
Masculinity – Strong, tough, muscly
Femininity – Delicate, beauty, gracious
5. Representation of Ethnicity
Ethnicity is the fact or state of belonging
to a social group that has a common
national or cultural tradition. Some
examples of different ethnic groups are:
White British
African American
Hispanic
Oriental
6. Representation of Class and
Status
Classes:
Upper Class: A social class composed of the
wealthiest members of society.
Middle Class: A class situated in the middle of
a social hierarchy.
Working Class: Those employed in the social
tier.
Lower Class: Lower than a middle rank in a
society.
Status: Somebody with a higher or lower
status within a particular class.
7. Representation of Sexuality
Sexuality is a persons sexual preference or
orientation. Some examples of different
sexualities would be:
Heterosexual
Homosexual
Bisexual
Asexual
Polysexual
Pansexual
Transsexual
8. Representation of regional
identity
Regional identity is identification with a
specific geographic region of a nation.
Some examples if different regional
identities are:
Northern
Southern
Eastern
Western
9. Representation of physical
ability/disability
Physical Ability – The ability to perform a
physical act and with the same mental
ability.
Disability – The condition of being unable
to perform as a consequence of physical
or mental inability.
For example, a person maybe missing a
limb or wheelchair bound or be able to
walk and exercise.
10. Stereotypes
A widely held but fixed oversimplified
image or idea of a particular type of
person or thing.
11. Stereotypes of Age
The stereotypes of age would be that the
elderly would be slow and have grey hair,
teenagers would be moody and spotty,
babies would be crying all of the time,
children would be really energetic and
running around and adults would be
sensible, focusing on their career, maybe
wearing suits.
12. Stereotypes of Gender
The stereotypes of gender would be that
the female would be very feminine, and
as portrayed in the media, they’d be
delicate, beautiful and shown to have to
be skinny and always being the ones
needing to be saved where as males will
be shown as masculine, strong, tough,
and be the savior all of the time. Men are
also stereotyped to have little emotions
and therefor will never cry.
13. Stereotypes of Ethnicity
Different ethnic groups are subject to
stereotype. Examples of this would be:
A Jamaican person would be stereotypically
represented as a Rastafarian person who has
little worries about life.
An English person would stereotypically have
a stiff upper lip, enjoy drinking tea and be
very patriotic towards Queen and Country.
15. Stereotypes of Sexuality
People will different sexualities are
stereotyped in different ways, for example,
homosexual males have the stereotype that
they act effeminate by liking pink, talking
slightly girly and walking similar to female.
Homosexual females can either be
stereotyped as feminine or masculine, one
with short hair and a muscly body and the
other with exactly the same characteristics as
a heterosexual female.
17. Stereotypes of physical
ability/disability
A physically able person would be
stereotypically fit and able to take part in
sporting activities.
Somebody who has a disability would
stereotypically be segregated from society.
The symptoms of the disability may be
exaggerated for dramatic effect. For
example, a mental illness and its symptoms
may be exaggerated in order for the
audience to be aware of the problems that
the character is facing.
