Media Representations Of Social Class Flashcards
What do mass media representations of social classes rarely focus on
The social tensions or class conflict that some critical sociologists like Marxists see as underpinning society
What do neomarxists argue
That the function of the media is to ensure the cultural hegemony of the dominant capitalist class and to ensure that inequality and exploitation are not defined as social problems so that they do not become the focus of social debate and demand for social change
What is the representation of the middle class like
It has been argued that the middle class has been overrepresented in the mass media. There is more exposure of middle class lifestyles than is justified by their proportion of the population
What are all the types of representations of the middle class
Over represented and positive
As critical thinkers
Educated and experts
Functioning families
What does the overepresented and positive entail
The middle class are overrepresented on TV programmes such as soaps, dramas etc. Many of their characters are seen positively
What does middle class being seen as critical thinkers entail
A substantial amount of newspapers are aimed at the middle class such as the telegraph, the independant , and the times
What do the middle class being represented as educated and experts entail
The most creative personnel in the media are themselves middle class. In the news the expert in the field the story is based on will also be middle class
What is the middle class being represented as functioning families entail
Middle class families and their consumption and tastes are presented in drama, sitcoms and adverts as the norm that all should aspire to imitate
How are the working class represented
It can be argued that the media representation of the working class is part of the capitalist ideology, working class are under represented and often seen as failures
What are all the ways the working class are respresented
Uncritical thinkers
Dumb and stupid buffoons
Source of trouble
Living in idealised working class communities
When it comes to media representation what does the working class being uncritical thinkers entail
Curran and Seaton notes that newspapers aimed at the working class like the sun and the daily Star presume readers want to read about celebs, gossip and trivial human I test stories, not current affairs and politics
What does the working class being dumb and stupid buffoons entail
Bustch suggests that when working class are featured it’s very unflattering and worth putting. They are seen as well intentioned but uneducated individuals who are irresponsible , immature and incompetent e.g. homer simpson
What do the working class being a source of trouble entail
Newman suggests that when the news focuses on the working class this is to label them as a problem e.g. welfare cheats they are often the subject of moral panics being blamed for societal issues
What do the working class living in idealised working class communities entail
Jones suggests tradition Al working communities are often presented in a positive way seen as hard working who have overcome adversity e.g. EastEnders. This is a problem though because these communities have dissapeared due to the decline of traditional industries
What are all the ways chavs are represented
Dangerous
Deserving of abuse
Entertaining
Failures
