Download - Representation
CriticalPerspectivesExam: Section 1b
Representation
Exam: Section 1b
Related key concepts…• Media Language
(how the representation is created/mediated, denotation and connotation)
Related key concepts…• Media Language
(how the representation is created/mediated, denotation and connotation)
• Institution and audience (who is doing the representation and who it is aimed at?)
What we need to know?Who is being represented?
• In what way?
• By whom?
What we need to know?Why is the subject being represented in this way?
• Is the representation fair and accurate?
• Is there an opportunity for self-representation?
MediationEvery time we encounter a media text, we are not seeing reality, but someone's version of it. This may seem obvious, but it is easily forgotten when we are enjoying a text.
MediationThree things to look for…
MediationThree things to look for…
• SELECTION
MediationThree things to look for…
• SELECTION• ORGANISATION
MediationThree things to look for…
• SELECTION• ORGANISATION• FOCUS
Mediation
SelectionWhatever ends up on the screen much more will have been left out.
Mediation
OrganisationElements will be organised carefully in ways that real life is not.
Mediation
OrganisationElements will be organised carefully in ways that real life is not. This organisation will result in…
Mediation
FocusThe audience is pushed towards concentrating on one aspect of the text and ignoring others.
This is mediation.
Mediation
This is mediation.Reality has been changed
Mediation
This is mediation.Reality has been changedThis may not always be obvious but it is always and inevitably the case
Mediation
Think of examplesof how you have changed realityin yourproductions…
Mediation
Society, the individual and representation
Representation theory
Representation TheoryThree ways of looking at it…
Representation TheoryThree ways of looking at it…
• REFLECTIVE
Representation TheoryThree ways of looking at it…
• REFLECTIVE• INTENTIONAL
Representation TheoryThree ways of looking at it…
• REFLECTIVE• INTENTIONAL• CONSTRUCTIONIST
ReflectiveThe representation takes the true meaning and tries to create a replica of it in the mind of the viewer.
Representation Theory
ReflectiveThe representation takes the true meaning and tries to create a replica of it in the mind of the viewer. This is the view that many people have of how news works - news producers take the truth of news events and simply present it to us as accurately as possible.
Representation Theory
Reflective• objective• no bias• no point of view
Representation Theory
IntentionalThe representation is structured and clearly aimsto project a specific idea or meaning decided by the producer
Representation Theory
Intentional• focused• subjective• persuasive• has an intention
Representation Theory
ConstructionistA representation can never just be the truth(reflective) or the version of the truth that someone wants you to hear (intentional) since that is ignores your ability as an individual to make up your own mind and the influences of society on the way you do it.
Representation Theory
Any representation is shaped by…
Representation Theory
• the thing itself
Any representation is shaped by…
Representation Theory
• the thing itself• the opinion of the producer
Any representation is shaped by…
Representation Theory
• the thing itself• the opinion of the producer• the reaction of the audience
Any representation is shaped by…
Representation Theory
WHAT
PERCEPTIONHOW
Representation Theory
what we are shown
what we seeis not necessarily
Representation Theory
what we see
is shaped by
education
experiences
culture
class
prejudicesetc.
Representation Theory
DominantIdeology
Representation Theory
Dominant IdeologyThe way most people think and the codes that most people live by in any given society. This is not static but constantly changing as new ideas and attitudes develop and become predominant.
Representation Theory
Dominant IdeologyOver the years representations are gradually accepted (or rejected) by the majority of people and in this way the dominant ideology is gradually changed.The “establishment” tends to reinforce this ideology while others will attempt to “push the boundaries”
Representation Theory
Stereotypes
Representation Theory
Stereotypes
Representation Theory
A stereotype is a standardised and usually oversimplified, mental picture or attitude that is held in common by members of a group.
Stereotypes
Representation Theory
A stereotype is a standardised and usually oversimplified, mental picture or attitude that is held in common by members of a group.It is a simplification used to make sense of a real person or group (or place) which, in reality, is much more complicated.
Reality is complex and difficult to fully understand….
STEREOTYPINGSimplifies and speeds up communication
Stereotypes
WE “GET IT” STRAIGHT AWAY
Stereotypes
Stereotypes
Stereotypes are potentially highly dangerous but stereotyping itself is impossible to avoid. It is a natural function of the human mind.
Stereotyping is something that we all do in order to survive mentally
in the confusing world around us.
Stereotypes
We should also be aware that just as with the process of mediation stereotyping involves the selection, organisation and focusing of the complicated reality.
Stereotypes
A media stereotype is constructed from…
Representation Theory
A media stereotype is constructed from…
Representation Theory
• appearance
A media stereotype is constructed from…
Representation Theory
• appearance• behaviour
A media stereotype is constructed from…
Representation Theory
• appearance• behaviour• media specific factors
A media stereotype is constructed from…
Representation Theory
• appearance• behaviour• media specific factors• comparison with the norm
the end