1. Middle region behavior occurs when those appearing on media become aware of being viewed and adapt their behavior accordingly. 2. Mediality refers to how our perception of reality is based on media texts, which are representations of reality open to various interpretations depending on one's culture and background. 3. Semiology studies media texts as composed of signs made up of signifiers (means of presentation) and signifieds (represented meanings).

1. Media and Politics Fall 2017
1.2. Framing
Relevant quiz questions and answers
Seminar 2, 28. October.

2. 1. What is «middle region behavior?

3. Different regions have different rules of behavior.
Electronic media give audiences a ”side stage” view, merging
the traditional (physically) separated front stage (official) and
backstage (private) regions into a middle region.
Middle region behavior occurs when those appearing in this
middle region become aware of the side stage view and
adapt their behavior accordingly

4. 2. Tell us what “mediality” is

5. Mediality refers to how our perception of reality is based on
media texts.
These texts represent re-presentations of reality, which in
turn are interpreted by those in audience.
Depending on culture, socialization and social background
these interpretations vary.

6. 3. Explain the basics of semiology, using the concepts of
signs, signifier and signified

7. Semiology is an approach to the study of media texts,
regarding all communication – from speech to images to
television programs - as made up of signs.
Signs are made up of two core elements:
The signifier, which is the means of presentation (words,
images, sounds etc.) and the signified, which is the the
meaning that is represented.

8. 4. Sketch out Stuart Hall’s «encoding-decoding» approach
to mediated communication

9. The producers “encode” a message – a preferred meaning - into
the media texts, which is to be decoded appropriately by the
audience.
However, as audiences belong to different socio-economic or
cultural contexts, they might challenge this meaning when
decoding.
Responses therefore can fall into three positions:
• Dominant hegemonic: Acceptance of the preferred meaning.
• Negotiated: General acceptance of the preferred meaning, but
on a superficial level.
• Oppositional: The preferred meaning is rejected as an
expression of dominant interests.

10. 5. What is the standard plot procedure and standard
character types in narrative analysis?

11. Narrative analysis approaches media texts as storytelling:
• Sequencing /order of events: Equilibrium, disruption and
reinstatement of equilibrium
• Character types: Villain, donor, helper, princess,
dispatcher, hero, false hero
As indicated, these are “standards”, meaning that all media
texts do not necessarily follow them completely – and some
do not follow them at all.

12. 6. What is meant by “hegemonic laughter” and that
laughter can both invert and sustain power relations?

13. Frames and constitutes the relations of 'us' and 'them'
Laughter can both invert and sustain power relations. It can
be directed against the powerful. But it can also be used by
the powerful as in hegemonic laughter. This refers to
creating a common sociality, while also demarcating the
boundaries of the human polity and excluding some from its
sphere.