Media Theorys

Question 1

Steve neale - genre theory

Answer 1

Genre is defined by repetition and difference; audiences enjoy familiar tropes but also expect variation.
Genre evolves overtime, with conventions becoming established, challenged and re-imagined.
Genre films appealed to audiences by combining expected elements of innovation
Audience, and produces both play a role in shaping genre conventions

Question 2

Christian Metz - genre stages

Answer 2

Genres pass through stages: experimental, classical, parody, and deconstruction.
The experimental phase introduces new conventions.
The classical stage solidifies these conventions into a recognisable form.
Parody mocks these conventions, while deconstruction questions and breaks them apart

Question 3

Tzvetan Todorov - narrative structure

Answer 3

Most narratives follow a five part structure: equilibrium, disruption, recognition, attempt to repair, and return to equilibrium
Stories often start with a state of normality (equilibrium), which is then disturbed.
Resolution is the key to returning the narrative back to a state of equilibrium, either changed or restored

Question 4

Roland Barthes - semiotics

Answer 4

Media texts, communicate meaning through codes (denotations, and connotations)
Barthes’ enigma codes creates mystery and suspense, encouraging audience engagement
Texts have multiple layers of meaning, with hidden messages that need interpreting by the audience

Question 5

Levi-Strauss - binary oppositions

Answer 5

Narratives are structured by opposites (good versus evil, heroes versus villains)
These oppositions create conflict which drives the narrative.
Meaning is generated through the contrast between these opposing elements

Question 6

Freytags pryamid - narrative structure

Answer 6

Narrative follows five key stages: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and denouement.
The climax is the turning point of the story, where tension reaches its peak
Denouement is the final resolution , where conflicts are resolved, and then directive closes

Question 7

Vladlmir propp - character roles

Answer 7

Narratives feature recurring characters archetypes (hero, villain, doner helper)
Characters follow specific functions within the story (hero, embarks on a quest, the villain opposes the hero)
Propp identified, 31 narrative functions that move the plot forward

Question 8

Desensitisation

Answer 8

Repeated exposure to violent or disturbing media, content producer, emotional sensitivity towards the real world violence

Question 9

Copycat violence

Answer 9

Individuals mimic violent behaviour seen in media, particularly Among younger

Question 10

Hypodermic syringe model

Answer 10

An outdated theory suggesting that media messages are directly injected into passive audience influencing behaviour and attitudes

Question 11

Mean world syndrome

Answer 11

Audiences who consume large amounts of violent media believe the world is more dangerous than it is

Question 12

Active versus passive audiences

Answer 12

Debate between audiences who can actively interpret media (active) versus those who simply absorb content (passive)

Question 13

George gerbner - cultivation theory

Answer 13

Repeated exposure to media content, particularly to television shapes, audiences, perceptions of reality.
Overtime audiences who consume a lot of media are likely to believe the real world is more dangerous a violent (mean world syndrome)
Cultivation theory suggests that media gradually influences societal attitudes and expectations

Question 14

Craig Anderson - violent media affects

Answer 14

Anderson’s research suggests a link between exposure to violent media, e.g. video games, and aggressive behaviour, particularly in children
He argues that violent media can desensitise viewers making them less sensitive to real world violence
The effects are more prominent in younger impressionable audience, who consume violent media regularly

Question 15

Stanley Cohen - moral panics

Answer 15

Moral panics occur in the media, amplifies an issue, often portraying it as a significant threat to society
These panics typically centre around social issues, such as youth, culture, or crime, leading to heightened public concern and media sensationalism
Media plays a crucial role in creating and sustaining moral panics by framing certain groups or behaviours as deviant

Question 16

David gauntlett- media affects critique

Answer 16

Gauntlett critiques older simplistic models of media effects, such as hypodermic syringe model
He argues that audiences are not passive ; they interact with media in a complex ways actively construction meaning an identity
Media influences is not as straightforward as previously thought it varies across different individuals and context

Question 17

Livingstone and Lunt - regulation in the digital age

Answer 17

The shift to digital media has created a new challenges for regulators in balancing consumer protection and freedom of expression
They argue that traditional regulatory framework struggle to keep up with the global and fast paced nature of digital media
Media institutions and governments must navigate tensions between the market competition. Audience needs and content control.

Question 18

Ken ang - active audiences

Answer 18

Audiences are not passive consumers; they actively interpret media, based on personal contacts and cultural background
Media products are polysemic, meaning they have multiple meanings, interpreted differently by each audience member
Audiences create their own meaning, often shaping media texts, according to their individual experiences

Question 19

Blumler and Katzs - users and gratification

Answer 19

Audiences engage with media to fulfil specific needs: information, personal identity, social interactions and entertainment
The theory emphasises the active role of audiences in choosing media that satisfies their desires
Media consumption is purposeful and audience seek different types of media depending on their current needs

Question 20

Stuart Hall - encoding/decoding

Answer 20

Major producers, encode messages and text based on societal values and ideologies
Audiences decode these messages in different ways (preferred negotiated, oppositional readings)
Media is a tool for the production and reinforcement of dominant ideologies but audiences can resist or reinterpret these messages

Question 21

John Hartley - audience construction

Answer 21

Media institutions actively construct audiences by targeting specific groups based on demographics and psychographics
Audiences are not naturally occurring; they are shaped by the marketing strategies of media producers
Hartley highlights the power media institutions have in defining what kind of audiences consume their products

Question 22

Stuart Hall- representation theory

Answer 22

Representation is the process by which media construct meanings through signs and codes
Audiences, decode, video texts in different ways

Question 23

Tessa Perkins - stereotypes

Answer 23

Stereotypes are not always negative, or false, they can contain elements of truth
Stereotypes of shorthand that helps audiences, understand characters quickly
They evolve, overtime and can be challenged or subverted by media producers

Question 24

Earp and Katz - violent masculinity

Answer 24

Media representations, often glorify, violent masculinity, reinforcing, traditional, male stereotypes
Films TV shows an advertisement frequent need to speak to men as aggressive, dominant figures
This portrayal can influence societal views on gender roles and contribute to toxic masculinity

Question 25

Raewym Connell- hagemonic masculinity

Answer 25

Media reinforces the dominance of traditional male, rows and values known as hegemonic masculinity
This perpetuates gender inequality, by presenting masculinity, is superior to femininity
Media representations, often marginalise alternative masculinity or feminine characteristics

Question 26

Laura mulvey - male gaze

Answer 26

Media, particularly film often represents a woman from a heterosexual male perspective
Women are objectified presented as passive and exist to please male viewers
This betrayal limits, the agency, a female characters, reinforcing gender, stereotypes

Question 27

Richard dyer - star theory

Answer 27

Celebrities are constructed through media to represent societal ideals or fantasies
Are stars image is a combination of on-screen rolls and offscreen persona, carefully controlled by the media
Stars often embody, societal ideologies, such as consumerism or power influencing audience behaviour.