This document discusses stereotypes and representation in television drama. It introduces key concepts like cognitive dissonance theory, which argues that people resist changing attitudes unless given strong evidence. The document also outlines seven areas of representation - gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, class, ability, and region - that are commonly assessed. Students will prepare a presentation on how one social group is traditionally portrayed in British TV and analyze whether the representation is fair using concepts like stereotypes, mise-en-scene, ideology, and theories of Barthes, Festinger, Propp, and Mulvey.

1. Stereotypes
Festinger

2. Why do we need them?
Think of as many reasons as you can to
explain the purpose/popularity of
stereotypes.

3. Problems/Criticism
KEY TERM – MEDIATION
The way the media represent an idea to us.
Stereotypes overlook the individual
Place people in groups
Qualities often ‘exaggerated’ which leads to a
caricature

4. Leon Festinger
Theory of ‘cognitive dissonance’
Argued that we resist adjusting our attitudes
unless faced with overwhelming evidence
against it. Believed that we seek out
confirmation of our thoughts/beliefs.
Question
Explain how Festinger can be used to explain
the popularity of programmes like Skins or
Holyoaks?

5. Representation
The Seven Key areas

6. The Big Picture – Television Drama Exam
Learning Objectives : What are we learning today?
All Students Most Students Some Students
To understand the seven •Identify strengths and •To select examples and
areas of representation on weaknesses in existing asses their effectiveness.
which they might be stereotypes •To form and opinion
and be able to support
assessed •To select examples
this belief with detailed
from contemporary
analysis
Drama texts which use
a stereotype
Lesson Outcomes & tasks: By the end of the lesson you ……
Must … Should … Could …
Produce and be able …. Asses the strengths and …. Apply this
deliver a presentation on weaknesses in a knowledge to their
a specific area of stereotype own work and
representation improve upon your
representation
homework

7. The seven areas
• The seven categories which you could be
assessed on are:
• Gender
• Age
• Ethnicity
• Sexuality
• Class and status
• Physical ability/disability
• Regional identity

8. Today’s lesson
Your presentation can take any form but must include
What you must include
An explanation of how you think your particular social
group are traditionally represented in British TV drama. Stereotypes about your chosen group
Typical clothing for members of your social group Explanations of why these particular
Typical occupations for members your group stereotypes are used and in which TV
Typical jobs for members of your social group Genre they are most likely to be found.
Typical modes of speech for your social group
Typical story lines for your social group Images focusing on the ‘mise-en-scene’ of
examples from British TV drama a specific stereotype.
You also need to link your points to the relevant theory An opinion on whether the representation is
fair and accurate.
Roland Barthes - binary opposites
Leon Festinger - Cognitive dissonance
Vladimir Propp - Character Roles
Historical context on the representation.
Laura Mulvey - Male Gaze i.e. has the way a group is represented
Tessa Perkins - Stereotypes . changed over time?
Key elements of mise en scene which help
establish the representation
You have today’s lesson to complete Any theory which you feel is relevant.
this task. You will then be required to
What ideology lies behind the text.
start subsequent lessons with your
presentation.