This document discusses representation theories as they relate to pop magazines. It describes how stereotypes in magazines are presented differently based on the intended audience, with juvenile magazines showing stars in casual clothing and mature magazines portraying them as glamorous. It also examines theories of how women are represented, including being viewed through the male gaze, complicity in creating an ideal self, and having control over their own sexuality and style. Audience theories hold that pop music has a mass appeal while magazines target younger audiences. Finally, it analyzes psychographic profiles of mainstreamers and explorers as relevant to the pop genre and interest in artists' images.

1. Representation Theories
ERIN MILLER KIRSTY MITCHELL

2. Stereotypes
Stereotypes within a pop magazine depend on the audience. In a juvenile
magazine the appearance of the pop stars will not be sexy or glamorous, they
will be wearing clothing that they would probably wear when they go out.
They would not be wearing evening dresses or designer dresses as this is
inappropriate for their audience. Moreover, when they are having their
pictures taken, it will probably be a natural picture or they will be smiling.
Their behaviour may be a bit over the top with regards to laughing and being
happy, but they will not try and act sexy or submissive as it is too
inappropriate with regard to their target market.
A pop magazine that is aimed towards a mature target market will use the
opposite to these. The singers that are on the front will be wearing
sophisticated outfits that a probably by famous designers. They will also have
their hair and make up done professionally and they will be looking very
glamorous. Moreover the behaviour of the models will not be cheerful and
natural, they will be posing in a sophisticated way, and they will be look
partially sexy, as it is what will stand out the most to their target maerk.

3. Representation of Women
Laura Mulveys Male Gaze
This is the view that women are objectified and viewed through they eyes of a
heterosexual male. The male is active and the female is passive. This does not apply to
the magazine that we are creating. This is because the women on the front are more
about glamour and fashion, which stereotypically heterosexual men are not interested
in.
Janice Winship’s Notions of Complicity
This is the view that the female is complicit in creating the ideal version of herself for a
male audience, because of the gratification she will receive. This is partially relevant to
our magazine, not in the fact that the models want to feel sexualised, but they want
men AND women to look at them and think that they look really glamorous and
sophisticated.
David Gauntlett’s Empowered Female
This is the view that women are in control of their sexuality- ‘the rejection of passive
femininity, and the freedom to openly desire others, is feminist progress’. This is most
relevant for our magazine. This is because the models on the front of our magazines
will pose in a way because they want to pose like that. As well as the fact that they don’t
have to dress in the clothes that they have been given, they can choose their own style.

4. Audience Theories
Pop music has a mass audience not a niche one. This is
because most people listen to it because they like the
music and they like the singing, as it is usually really
up beat.
However, pop magazines are mainly bought by a
younger target audience. People in their 30’s are not
usually interested in buying magazines as it usually
has things for the younger target audience, which is
not the audience we are interested in working with.

5. Psychographics

6. Psychographics
For the pop genre, the part they come under is mainstreamers
and partially explorers. This is because mainstreamers are
described as conformists. This is because they follow what
everyone else likes, and they follow the crowd. Moreover they
are described as part of the mass. This is relevant to being part
of a mass audience, because they are in an audience that most
people join in with. Another relevant point to being a
mainstreamer is the fact that they favour big and well-known
things. For example they will be fans of singers and groups that
everyone likes, and have a big reputation.
Explorers fit into this as well because pop magazines are usually
about the image of the singer. They like sensation and
indulgence. This shows that they will get excited and will be
really interested in the way that they are presented on the front
of these magazines.