- the way in which people, events and places are portrayed in the media
What is ‘representation’?
However realistic media images seem, they never simply
present the world as it is
Media images are always a construction or a re-presentation
of people, places or events.
The media can re-present certain images or stories over and
over again, making them seem ‘natural’ and familiar
- Self-fulfilling prophecy – when people start acting towards the stereotypes
Stereotyping
·
Widely circulated ideas or assumptions about particular
groups of people. Usually negative judgements made on a whole group of people
based on a few characteristics
Stereotypical media representations of:
- Disabled people - can’t do anything for themselves, vulnerable, not independent, social outcasts
- Ethnic minorities: dangerous, rude, poor, uneducated, gangs, criminals
- Working class – uneducated, poor, struggle, dysfunctional families
- Women – sexual objects, victims of crime, vulnerable, dependent on their friends (i.e. going to the toilets)
- Teenagers – rebellious, lazy, troublemakers
