The document discusses theories around identity formation and how media and social influences can shape personal identity. It explores how people, especially youth, may look to celebrities and idols in media to form their own identities or sense of self. While identity is deeply personal, it is also shaped through our interactions with others and exposure to outside influences, making it a complicated process that changes throughout our lives.

1. This is noticed first as it is the biggest of texts on the cover. The picture helps represent this as Miley’s whole body is shown rather than a close up of her face, as it is promoting healthier eating, to get the right body. Furthermore, the colour pink is highly noticeable in this magazine. Their target audience may be quite niche as stereotypically, girls will be attracted to this magazine. Miley Cyrus is a teenage heart throb sensation to the youth. She started out on the Disney Channel and has had her own movie. She is put on the cover rather than a model with a ‘size 0’ figure because she is recognized by a lot of younger children as she is a Disney star and is more likely to catch our attention over someone who is unknown. Furthermore this helps her, and the magazine company to stay connected with the youth of today by having someone ‘up to date’ in which they can relate to. People may be able to compare with her to their personal identity and perhaps see themselves in her in some ways (audience gratification theory) Girls will think they need to lose weight as it is being promoted to be skinnier, perhaps a sense of the youth ‘finding their identity.’ Maslow’s theory of ‘self-actualisation’ can be applied here as it questions you about yourself . The youth may question their personal identity as they are at the stage where they haven’t yet connected or found their true identity because a stereotypical view can make someone want to change the way in which they look and/or behave. Foucault’s theory is applicable as other peoples assumptions can lead to people wanting to change their appearance and ‘identity’. If we followed what is said around the image i.e “25 things you do...” and “131 little ways..” then we would all end up doing the same things, conforming to a collective identity.

2. Kristen Stewart is wearing less make-up and seems to be going for more of a natural look, which could persuade other girls, who look up to her to do the same. This is done because it is trying to get the message of ‘sleep deprived’ across. Many can relate to this as the youth seem to be tired in school or college – this is a form of personal identity (audience gratification theory) Personal identity can be formed from this as the message is clear due to the connotations around the main image. Richard Jenkins ‘we need to interact in order to form our collective identity with other people or with the media’ – this theory can be applied as some may believe they can relate to her as she is a well known actress, so by using her as the front cover of teen vogue magazines it may encourage others to see her as some sort of ‘idol’ The various use of colour can create a sense of mixed identities as their target audience aren’t swayed in anyway. It gives them independence to ‘choose who they are’ rather than being swayed to stick to one colour (one identity, one mind..)

3. The colours on the front cover on Kerrang are the antithesis to the ‘Glamour’ magazine. The colours are focussed on being much darker and have the connotative of being destructive and rebellious. The fact that the title of the magazine cannot be read because he is standing in front of it suggests a domination and an act of rebelliousness too. Green Day look intimidating and that may be due to the characters they are – showing off their collective identity. Michael Foucault said that “we mediate our identity through people we meet.” This is suggested here as they have the same facial expression and clothing and can assume they have the same interests as they are in the same band but could be completely different people when they are alone. Other bands and artists are shown here which suggests various identities to choose from and relate with. The target audience have a choice and can freely move outside of fixed boundaries that may be given off by Green Day. The use of pink and yellow on the front cover seems to be the only eye-catching feature on this magazine, perhaps to divert the attention to all areas of the magazine rather than focussing on one aspect only. ‘ Identity is complicated, everybody’s got one’ – this can be supported here as Green Day are naturally showing off their identity through their appearance and the fact that they are of a pop/rock band genre. People may identify themselves with them too, once again creating a mutual connection and forming a collective identity. Isidore Isou - “the young who have nothing to lose are the attack, are the adventure” can also relate to the suggestion of rebelliousness that is given off from the main picture.