Exam 2 Flashcards
Social identity
A self-concept that is based on group membership and the emotional attachments (affiliations) associated with that membership.
Social identity characteristics
- Many groups vs. meaningful groups
- Shared values, beliefs, norms, etc.
- Reference groups - media tells you about other groups
- Events (historical & current)
Intersectionality
Def: The condition in which a person simultaneously belongs to two or more social categories and the unique consequences that result from that combination.
Significance: ethnicity, gender, age (intersect - we are made up of so many)
Stereotype
The oversimplified beliefs held about an individual or a group of people and the oversimplified characteristics assigned to them based on their group membership.
Social psychological perspective - stereotypes
- Ability to process incoming information
- Cognitive short cuts (categorization)
- Multiple schemas
- Stereotypes - 1 type of schema
- In-group (diverse) vs. out-group (stereotypes)
- Expectations
- Cultivation Theory (long term, cumulative effects)
Cultural/critical studies perspective - stereotypes
- Lens of power
- Hegemony (noun): power structure in society where political and social elite have more power over others with less power.
- –Not conscious
- –Not imposed through force
- –Pervasive
- Stereotypes reinforce and perpetuate power structure
Sex vs. Gender
- Sex: biologically determined (male, female)
- Gender: socially constructed (masculine, feminine)
Socially constructed
Identities are negotiated within a social context (not biologically determined)
Gender identity
The degree to which people see themselves and others as masculine or feminine
Gender socialization
Individuals learn about gender – about what it means to be masculine or feminine from socializing agents
Engenderment
Process by which a biological female becomes a socially constructed feminine being and a biological male becomes a socially constructed masculine being
Hyper-masculinity
Gender-based ideology of exaggerated beliefs about what it is to be a man (hyper masculine traits - media)
Hyper-femininity
Gender-based ideology of exaggerated beliefs about what it is to be a woman (hyper feminine traits - media)
Mediated images of gender and implications
- Hyperfeminine, hypermasculine - most prevalent image/traits in media
- Small segment of population
- Implications: inadequacy, exhibiting to fit in, consumer culture, judgment of others, gender ambiguity - marginalization of those who don’t fit in
Hypersexuality
An overemphasis on sexuality by way of clothing, body proportions, poses, actions and camera angles.
Gender display
The process of performing the roles expected of us by the social convention that surrounds us
Goffman’s main argument
There are patterns of masculine and feminine displays and poses in ads that perpetuate who is more powerful or dominant (hegemony)
Objectification
- Any presentation emphasizing sexually suggestive body parts - sometimes not including the heady/eyes
- Objects: demeaning, dehumanizing
- Role-product congruity
Ritualization of subordination
A classic stereotype of deference is that of lowering oneself physically in some form.
2 observations by Goffman
- Defenseless
2. Sexualized
Arguments opposing hyper-sexualized images
- Media effects? (shaper)
- Women: maintain hegemonic patriarchal system, hegemonic femininity
- Men: maintain hegemonic masculinity
- Dehumanizing, low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, marginalization, inequalities…
Three waves of feminism
- First wave: 1800’s to late 1900’s
- Second wave: 60’s, 70’s - present
- Third wave: daughters of the 2nd wave
Characteristics of today’s celebrity
- Entertainment & sports industries
- Media
- Private lives vs. professional lives
- Fame vs. initial achievements
Different perspectives on celebrity
- Consumers & investors of celebrity
- Academia
- Commentary on celebrity
Charismatic Theory of Stardom
- Born vs. manufactured
- 3 Assumptions (the 3 I’s)
1. Individual
2. Innate
3. Inevitable
Political economy perspective of celebrities
Celebrities are commodified
- Created, promoted, & sold to us as mass media
- Consumption - we buy celebrities like products
- Endorsements
- Name, image, personal meaning to brand
Celebrities as brands
-Brand identity
Benefits of celebrity endorsements to corporations
- Higher brand awareness
- Positive brand attitudes
- Greater consumer loyalty
Balance theory - emotional transfer
Me —> Brand & Celebrity
Celebrity —> Brand
Cultural meaning - cognitive transfer
Example/Study: Paired Gap brand with Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, or Jessica Simpson. After the pairing, beliefs were more consistent with the beliefs about each celebrity (controversial, trashy, and cheap). This shift produced a more negative attitude toward the brand.
Parasocial interactions
The relationship audience members have with characters they interact with through some form of media including theater, radio, and TV.
Characteristics of parasocial interactions
- Perception that one knows a celebrity or character immediately
- Fans develop positive attitudes toward characters (or celebrity personas), get to know them and experience feelings of intimacy with them.
- Engage in vicarious participation in their lives
2 important effects of social media on parasocial interactions/relationships
- Normalized parasocial perception
- Made relationships more intimate
5 audience types
- Traditionalist - believe what they see and read
- Second order traditionalist - believe that what they see/read was placed by “someone” but is still true
- Postmodernists - know about celebrity manufacturer and seek out its evidence and its details, rejecting most stories as naive or false
4/5. Gossipers/Detectives - regard the stories about celebrities as semi-fictional (made up for publicity purposes). What distinguishes these last 2 is their use of information they discover.
Political economy perspectives - trends in news rooms
- New owners focus on economic bottom line/profit motive
- Secure advertising dollars
- Focus is on increasing ratings
- Public interested in celebrities and scandal
- News shows integrate celebrity/entertainment stories (scandal) in with regular news
- Stories can come from “tabloids” (TMZ)
Paparazzi
- Freelance photographers willing to go to any length to get a picture of a celebrity
- Now, many traditional news media outlets purchase more pictures from photo houses instead of sending their own photographers
Mendelson article -
-Paparazzi act as a watchdog - doesn’t necessarily oppose them
